REVIEW: Worth It by Linda Kage

Worth It 
by Linda Kage
Release Date: August 25th 2015 by Linda Kage
Series: Forbidden Men #6
Pages: 395
Genres: Romance, New Adult, Contemporary
Author's Links: Goodreads, Website, Twitter, Facebook
View/Purchase: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N

I fell in love once. 

It was amazing. She was amazing. Life was amazing. 

I lived for each time I could see her, and nothing else mattered, not that our families were enemies, our time together was forbidden, or we had to meet in secret. 

Our love could conquer all. 

Until it didn't. 

So I was ripped away from the love of my life and shoved into hell, forced to continue without her. 

It shattered me, broke the best parts of me, left me permanently damaged.

Or so I thought.

Years later, I swear history’s trying to repeat itself because she’s back in my life, and I’m just as drawn to her as I was before. But I'm older and wiser now, and I know she should stay away from a worthless piece of ex-con like me. 

So, I will not let her in. I absolutely refuse to hurt her. I will keep her away. 

Then again, sometimes risking your greatest fear to get to a smile makes everything worth it, and besides, I’m not sure I can resist her, anyway.

This is the story of how Felicity Bainbridge changed my life forever, starting one summer day long ago after I was forced to change a dirty diaper... 

--Knox Parker
(Synopsis taken from Goodreads)

My Review: 

Ever since I saw the cover of the book for the first time I really wanted to read the story, then I read the synopsis and I was hooked. Although the synopsis itself doesn't tell us what the problem is going to be in the story like any other book would, it still manages to leave us wondering what really happened between the main characters to drive them apart.

Right from the very beginning we get to meet Felicity Bainbridge, a teen whose family is very rich and important in their town. She has older brothers who are total jerks to everyone including her, but that is the least of her problems because her family doesn't get along with the Parkers who live next to her property. Wanting to get some alone time with her kindle in hand, Felicity ends up in the woods near her home only to stumbled upon Knox Parker. Their first encounter as teens is brief, but it changes them from then on. The Parkers and Binbridges have never been able to see eye-to-eye, they are total opposites, and what makes things worse is that one of the Parkers is pregnant with one of Felicity's brother's baby. Now that is what is keeping them all angry with each other, yet when Felicity meets Knox she finds him to be kind and caring. He is different from anyone from his family, and soon they start to meet in secret. From the on the story is full of twists and turns as we get to find out slowly what happened to them when their families find out about their secret meetings, and what drove them apart.

For Knox Parker, his only priority is caring for his little niece while also trying to maintain the rest of his family. Though they have never been rich, he does live next to one of the richest families in town, and their disagreements have created a war against the two families. Nevertheless, when he meets Felicity, sparks fly and soon he is doing anything in his power to be with her. But that doesn't last long, because after they get caught his life changes, and he is whisked away from the love of his life. Now fast-forwarding a couple years, they meet once gain only to discover what truly happened the day they last saw each other and while they were apart.

I absolutely loved the book, it is full of twists and turns that you don't expect to happen that just made the story that much more enjoyable to read. Their story reminded me of Romeo and Juliet, minus the ending! Their families hate one another, and that ultimately is what keeps them from truly be the couple that they want to be. Knox is one of those characters that is swoon worthy, and totally lovable. He calls Felicity his “City,” and that is the cutest nickname once you get to know their story. At the beginning of the book it was slow for me, as we got flashbacks every other chapter, which I'm still not sure if I liked the set up or not. Anyway, the art at the starting page of each chapter fit with the book perfectly as well. Towards the ending the story has me in tears, as it was shocking and sad. Now the very end was perfect for the characters, and I'm sure you will love it as well. Overall, I highly recommend this book and I'm really looking forward to reading more from the author in the future. :)

***ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.***

My Rating: 4.5/5

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★BOOK BLITZ:★ The Boss’s Daughter by Aubrey Parker {EXCERPT + GIVEAWAY!}

The Boss’s Daughter by Aubrey Parker

Release Date: October 27th 2015

Series: Inferno Falls #1

Genres: New Adult, Romance

The first book in the Inferno Falls series, from your new favorite romance author.

Ever since losing her mother as a girl, Riley James has lived for her father, Mason. The loss has nearly consumed them both, and they’ve only survived it together. But while Mason is moving into his twilight years, Riley is still young and ready for her life to begin. Her father’s shared grief — once the warm embrace she needed — now feels like a set of shackles that are starting to chafe.

Brandon Grant is smack dab in the middle of his life’s best years. So far they’ve been devoted to the construction company where he’s dedicated the last several years. A product of the foster care system, Brandon comes from a dark enough past that he can never let anyone get too close — except his boss, Mason James, who steps into the void his father was never there to fill. After years of back breaking work, Brandon is finally about to land the promotion he’s always wanted. Soon, he’ll finally start living for himself, and find someone to share in the happiness he’s sure to earn … eventually.

But love can’t always wait …

Just as Brandon is being groomed for the position, he meets the sweetest, most charming, and electrifying girl he’s ever seen — and realizes, with the crushing, sinking knowledge that she’s Riley James, the boss’s daughter.

While Riley might be ready to move on, her father can’t, and he makes it abundantly clear that Brandon’s not to go near her. As he spends more and more time in the office, preparing to become the company’s big man, he clocks more time with Riley. Soon, their spark ignites to inferno.

Riley and Brandon must decide if their happiness still means what they’ve always thought, or if they’ve finally found the person who can turn their lives into something more.

Purchase: Amazon, B&N, iTunes

{EXCERPT}

“Oh. I see what’s going on here.”

“What’s ‘going on here?’”

“You’re afraid of leveling up.”

I don’t even know how to respond to that.

“You’re trying to have it both ways,” she says, nodding harder, as if gaining conviction from her words. “How did you feel when you came home from college?”

“Stop life coaching me, Phoebe.”

“Just tell me, bitch.”

“I don’t know. Eager to start putting my degree to work at Life of Riley?”

“And?”

“And what?”

“And sad, right? Like you missed school? Missed your college friends? Your old life?”

“Well, sure. Of course. But … ”

“You’ve always been taken care of by Daddy. Now you’re on your own, but not really. You’re somewhere in the middle. You say you want to be taken seriously, but you still live at home.”

“Only until I find my own place.”

“And you want your dad to treat you like a serious businesswoman, but you’re still worried about disappointing him. By being with his veep.”

“I’ve been with lots of guys my dad didn’t want me with.”

“Not like Brandon. He’d be ‘leveling up.’ He’d be a serious boyfriend. The kind you marry because he’s a real man, not a kid. But doing it doesn’t just challenge your relationship with your dad; it also represents — ”

“Please don’t tell me what my actions ‘represent.’”

“It also represents your first step to settle down.”

“Settle down!” I bark laughter and nod sarcastically. “I see. And you’re getting this because I had sex with him once.”

“Your womanly instincts are kicking in. You know he’s a good catch, and you want him. You want to marry him.” She says “marry” the way we used to say it in grade school, when mocking someone for being into someone we deemed ridiculous. Except that this time, she’s using the same tone to make the opposite point. I consider “life coaching” Phoebe by pointing this out, but she darts for my malt and I lose momentum defending it.

“You’re retarded,” I say. Not the kind of thing I’d say as a woman. It’s the kind of thing I’d say as a girl.

“Not retarded,” Phoebe retorts. “You know he’s good material. Which is why you’re so smitten.”

“I’m not smitten!”

“And the smittenness,” she says, drawing a line on the table with her finger that is probably supposed to represent a profound truth, “is why you’re sad right now.”

“I’m not sad.”

“You said you were sad.”

“I did not!”

“Husband material,” she says. “Fuck now. Marry later.”

I laugh again. I was wrong about Phoebe. She is making me feel better, but just because this is so stupidly funny.

“He’s a hothead,” I tell her. “He has issues.”

“Your lady parts know he could take care of you. Take care of the parts, for sure. But take care of you, too.”

“He’s barely scraping by. He’s all messed up, and even money won’t help. He can’t take care of anyone.” I think of what happened the night he ran off, how he didn’t even look at me or say goodbye, and I give Phoebe my capping argument. “He’s selfish. Only thinks of himself.”

“You’re wrong,” Phoebe says.

“I’m not.”

“You are. I thought you knew about his scar?”

I nod. “So he got in a bar fight. So what? That’s not anything worth celebrating. In fact, it’s exactly what my dad thought happened the other night, and I defended him. It doesn’t say he’s not selfish. It proves he’s a brute.”

Phoebe’s expression says that something isn’t adding up. Her eyes squint down.

“What did Bridget tell you about Brandon’s scar?”

“I told you. Got into a fight. Some guy had a knife.”

“And?”

“And nothing.”

Phoebe sits back. She crosses her arms. “So she was too embarrassed to tell you.”

“What?” I say.

“He got that scar defending his sister from her boyfriend, Keith, who beat her nearly to death. He got it the last time Keith came around, after he’d put Bridget in the hospital. The time, Riley, that she needed him most.”

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★BOOK BLITZ★: Live Me ~ A Pieces of Broken novel by Celeste Grande {EXCERPT + GIVEAWAY!}

Live Me ~ A Pieces of Broken Novel by Celeste Grande

Release Date: October 27th 2015

Series: Pieces of Broken #1

Genres: Contemporary, New Adult

Broken…

Shattered…

How can you begin to live again when you’ve already been forced to… die?

Evangelina Ricci is trapped in a world that’s a never-ending nightmare, a constant ache in which consumes her every breath. Unable to bear the torture any longer, she does the one thing she can to take back control. 

Run.

With her best friend Jace in tow, Evangelina attempts to escape her darkened past by leaving for college and diving head first into an aggressive schedule, determined with everything she is to make a name for herself. There’s only one problem—she can’t run away from the demons she struggles with. The demons that’ll forever be there, locked inside, battering her soul. Hiding behind a flawless façade, Evangelina faces her ghosts until her world is turned upside down, invaded by… him.

Blake Turner. Sweet, witty, flirtatious and drop-dead gorgeous, he finds Evangelina at every turn. Scared he’ll uncover the truth she keeps so well guarded, Evangelina tries her best to put on her act, deterring him like she has so many times before—only this guy’s different. He’s relentless. Utterly, absolutely and completely relentless. He sees her and he wants her and won’t stop until she’s his.

Will Evangelina succeed in pushing Blake away? Or will he break down her walls and be the person to make her realize life is worth living?

Purchase: Amazon

{EXCERPT}

I drew my knees into my chest and began to sing. In hysterics, my fingernails gouged holes in the flesh on my shins. The words barely made it past my lips as salty tears invaded my mouth. Right here, I wanted to forget the person who did this to me, who made me this way.

You were only waiting for this moment to be free.

God help me. I couldn’t do this anymore. I just wanted to end it. That would be the only way to make it better. Free myself of the agony. Living this way just wasn’t worth it anymore. I might as well finish myself off all at once instead of shutting down one cell at a time.

I ripped the portals of torment from my ears and threw them down in disgust. “Please, God. Give me a sign. Something. Anything. What am I supposed to do?” I shivered, a weeping lump of flesh.

The silence around me was deafening. The only sound was the sporadic hitch of air that came from your chest after a good bout of hysterics.

Breathe in. Breathe out. Hitch.

Breathe in. Breathe out. Hitch. Hitch.

Frantically wiping up and down my face, I dragged myself off the lounge chair. Going to the perimeter of the roof, I peered down, wondering what it would feel like to free fall to the bottom. Take hold of my fate and say fuck it. Break these chains and finally be free.

I pulled myself up and over the cold cement rail and settled my back against it. Holding on, I stared down at the tiny cars as I inched up on my tippy toes and leaned forward. Maybe I could fly like a blackbird. Dragging my bottom lip between my teeth, I creeped further, teetering on the edge. My stomach lurched, and I swallowed hard.

Pussy.

Another breath and I pushed back, unable to go through with it. That prick wasn’t worth ending my life over. He’d already taken too much of me; I couldn’t allow him that as well.

You were only waiting for this moment to be free.

AUTHOR BIO:

Celeste Grande grew up loving words. From an early age, it was easy for her to open her heart through pen and paper and come away with something poetic. She never thought anything more than releasing her emotions would come of it though. A workaholic that can’t keep still, in her ‘real’ life, she’s a Certified Public Accountant who dreams of writing sexy books all day long. When she isn’t working, she’s reading, writing, mommying and being a wifey to the love of her life.
She lives in New York, still putting pen to paper and anxiously awaiting the debut of her first novel, Live Me, a new adult romance, in October of 2015. 

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REVIEW: A Friendly Arrangement by Christine Warner

A Friendly Arrangement 
by Christine Warner
Release Date: October 26th 2015 by Entangled Publishing, LLC
Series: Friends First #2
Pages: 200

Genres: Romance, Contemporary

View/Purchase: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N

Author's Links: Goodreads, Websie, Twitter, Facebook

What happens when your plus one becomes "the one"?

Holly Haggerty and Roth Esterly are two besties with everything in common--they're neighbors, career-driven, and commitment-phobes. Tired of always being set up on dates by well-meaning friends and family, they take matters into their own hands: they will be the other's plus one--a little friendly arrangement between friends.

Easy…until a steamy night where they cross the line. But that's okay, they'll add an addendum--one that includes a little action between the sheets…on top of the sheets…and without the sheets. But there are rules. Dating and sex are exclusive until one of them decides to terminate the agreement. No slumber parties. And if either party becomes emotionally involved they will break things off with no hard feelings.

When unexpected news changes their plans and turns their fun arrangement into something more serious, Holly and Roth must come to terms with what's more important--what they thought they wanted, or what they really need.

(Synopsis taken from Goodreads)

My Review:

Not having read any other works by Christine Warner, I thought that A Friendly Arrangement was a good overall story. Though the idea is not new, the events leading up to conclusion of the book were entertaining to read. Right at the beginning of the story we meet Holly Haggerty, and immediately find out that she has recently ended her relationship with her boyfriend. Now her ex-boyfriend's brother wants to end any business that they used to have, and she doesn't want that. So Holly plans to crash a costume party, but she needs a plus one and she knows that exact person to ask, her best friend and neighbor, Roth Esterly. Soon the pair discovers that they can be each other's plus one with no strings attached. It would have been a great arrangement, but the more they spent time with one another, the more their relationship started to feel different.

For Roth Esterly commitments are off the table, he doesn't want to be seriously involved in a relationship when he has a very successful career ahead of him as a jewelry designer. But his family has been trying to set him up for a while, and he is not happy to have people making decisions for him. So when Holly asks him for his help, he is more than happy to help in return to have her as his plus one. Little did he know that he would end up falling in love with her in the process. Now he has to come to terms of what he really wants and if he is willing to fight for it. 

As I mentioned before, I really liked the overall idea of the story. Both of the characters are career-driven and very much commitment-phobes that just want to be successful without having any romantic relationships. When Holly loses one of her biggest clients, she doesn't know what to do other than to ask her best friend for help. That is when things really take off and the characters are put in different scenarios that ultimately bring them closer. As the two start to realize that they might be falling for each other, that is when the real test comes in and when they'll have to decide whether their careers are more important than their relationship. The tone of the story is light and funny at times, it really was a quick and easy read. Nevertheless, there were moments where the characters felt flat for me. I still very much enjoyed the ending though. I would definitely be reading more from the author in the future. This book is worth picking up if you like the friends-to-relationship kind of stories. : )

***ARC provided by Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review.***

My Rating: 

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★BOOK BLITZ:★ His Work Of Art by Shannyn Schroeder {EXCERPT + GIVEAWAY!}

His Work Of Art by Shannyn Schroeder

Release Date: October 27th 2015 by Lyrical Press

Series: Hot & Nerdy #4

Genres: New Adult, Romance

Reese Carter is definitely not your average college girl. She'd prefer to spend Saturday nights playing Hero's Crusade than attending a wild frat party on campus. When she bands together with Adam, fellow comic enthusiast and illustrator, it appears that Reese has formed a dream team sure to propel her writing into the comic hall of fame.

Adam Hayes has never met a girl like Reese. She's sassy, smart, and loves talking comics, although he can't see why she'd choose DC over Marvel. He's thrilled to finally put his artistic chops to use in their upcoming comic project. But. this relationship is strictly professional. Or so he tells himself. When the two combine forces, they churn out magic in more ways than they had planned; they never expected to develop a steamy romantic sub-plot of their own... 

Purchase: Amazon, B&N, iBook, Kobo

{EXCERPT}

“Wow! You’re actually good.”

Adam glanced over his shoulder at hearing Reese—words of surprise no guy ever wanted to hear—to see that she stood over his drawing table. Invading his space behind the counter. He thanked the customer in front of him and handed him his bag of comic books. He watched the customer leave before walking up behind Reese. 

“Could you—” He gestured to the other side of the counter, the storefront for customers.

She shrugged. “Oh, sorry.” She moved to the other side, but continued talking. “It’s just that I see you drawing all the time. I wanted to check it out.”

Adam moved his panels and sheets of paper back to the order in which he had them. Even if he were to invite her to look at his work, he wouldn’t let her shuffle them like a deck of cards. Although she was now standing six feet away, he could still smell her lingering scent. Something soft, but he couldn’t quite place it. He found it distracting.

While he continued to straighten his table, he asked, “Is there something you needed help finding?”

It was a ridiculous question because she was able to find things in the small store as easily as he could. She’d been coming in at least once a week for months, ever since one of their competitors had shut down. Reese had strolled in looking for the latest Batgirl comic and his life hadn’t been the same since.

“So what are you drawing?”

“Nothing special. Just working up some ideas.”

“Those aren’t random doodles. I know a superhero when I see one. Who is he?”

Adam set his papers back on the desk. He rubbed the back of his neck, irritation grinding into his muscles. “He doesn’t have a name. Not yet anyway.”

“He’s pretty awesome. You need to name him.”

“Yeah, I’ll get right on that.” As if he hadn’t already spent his entire afternoon doing just that. He crossed his arms. “So what are you here for today? You picked up all of your regular issues earlier this week.”

“I came to see you.” She leaned forward on the counter in front of the register. “I have a proposition for you.”

At least these were better words to hear than her first statement. He joined her and braced his palms on the glass and waited.

“I have to do a senior project. My plan is to publish an anthology of comics.”

They’d talked about comics plenty over the months. They both had strong opinions, and he enjoyed arguing with her. He also knew that she was a writer, not that he’d ever read any of her stuff.

“And?” he prompted.

“I need an artist. I have most of the stories done.” She tilted her head side to side, her straight dark hair swaying with the movement. Squinting her eyes, she said, “Well, they need polishing and maybe some revising, but I figure they’ll get fine-tuned as we get to the storyboard phase.”

“We?” No way was she asking what he thought.

“If you agree to be my partner, yeah, we. I’m under a bit of a time crunch because I have to have things in place to start my crowd-funding campaign. So it’ll be a lot of work, but you’ll get paid. At least you will if the campaign gets funded. Plus, I figure we have holiday break coming up so we won’t have to worry about classes.”

“You want me to illustrate your comics?” The thought was a massive blur in his brain. Working together on a comic was intense. He doubted they could get along long enough to complete anything. They managed to argue about just about everything related to comics.

“Yeah. I had the idea a couple of weeks ago when I saw you working at your table. You were so passionate and into it, that it swallowed you. I get like that when I’m in the zone writing. I need that kind of partner.” Her stormy blue eyes focused intently on him from beneath her shaggy bangs.

“Do I really need to point out that we don’t get along?”

In truth, Reese was one of his all-time favorite customers. She was smart and argued with passion. It was almost enough for him to forgive her for choosing DC over Marvel.

“Who said we have to get along? I’m an excellent writer. From what I can see there, you’re an excellent artist. Together, we can put together a fabulous book. “ She leaned closer, almost to his side of the counter. “Afraid you can’t handle me?”

He chuckled. “Sorry to disappoint, but you don’t scare me. However, I don’t like to waste my time.”

She eased back. “How about this? You can read the story for the first book. Then make your decision. But it’ll have to be fast because I have to have everything in place before my campaign goes live. The book doesn’t need to be complete, but I have to have enough to entice people to back me.”

The idea intrigued him, but Reese would never have been his first choice for a partner. Getting paid to draw was exactly what he was looking for. And if her campaign got fully funded, he would have a publication credit to his name. Having experience like that would help as he started his job hunt after graduation. “Bring it by. I’ll take a look.”

Her face lit up almost as brightly as when she’d tried to convince him that Batman was better than Iron Man. “Excellent.” She reached into her messenger bag and pulled out a purple folder. “Here you go.”

He eyed the folder. “You were that sure that I’d say yes?”

She winked at him. “I was cautiously optimistic.”

AUTHOR BIO:

Shannyn is a former English teacher, who now works as a part-time editor while raising her three kids.

Even though she wrote from high school through college (mostly poetry), she'd never considered a career as an author. Writing fell by the wayside as she focused her energy on creating lesson plans and new and fabulous ways to torment her teen students. One group in particular dubbed her "The Torture Master," a title she carried into motherhood.

After the birth of baby number two, Shannyn resigned from teaching and fell in love with reading romance novels. She read so many books so quickly that her husband teased, "If you're going to read so many damn books, why don't you just write one?"

So she did. And she hasn't looked back since.

She is recovering from her Diet Coke addiction, fears putting her foot in her mouth on social media, and has a renewed appreciation for the bad girls of the world.

Shannyn is represented by Frances Black and Jennifer Mishler of Literary Counsel. Her debut, More Than This, will be released by eKensington on January 3, 2013. 

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☼ Waiting on Wednesday (#104) ☼

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Walk the Edge

by Katie McGarry

Release Date: March 29th 2016 by Harlequin TEEN 

Series: Thunder Road #2

Pages: 384

Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Razor knows his family is haunted by secrets of the past…

High school senior Thomas "Razor" Turner knows his family has a dark history as part of the Reign of Terror motorcycle club, especially when it comes to the secrecy surrounding his mother’s death.

When Razor starts to dig deeper into his mum's case he turns to the unlikeliest source for help: classmate Breanna Miller, the shy, smart girl he's never looked twice at. But the more time they spend together, the more they realise they actually have in common, and how attracted to each other they really are.

When secrets from the past are revealed can their newfound feelings survive? 

(Synopsis taken from Goodreads) 

Pre-Order: Amazon, B&N, Google Play, Kobo

***I can't wait to read yet another book by Katie McGarry, she always comes up with such interesting and fascinating stories***

What are you guys waiting to read?

Thanks for stopping by! :)

★RELEASE DAY LAUNCH:★ All Hallows Eve by Heather Graham {EXCERPT}

All Hallows Eve by Heather Graham

Release Date: October 27th 2015 by Evil Eye Concepts, Incorporated

Series: Krewe of Hunters #17.5

Pages: 125

Genres: Paranormal, Fantasy, Romance

Salem was a place near and dear to Jenna Duffy and Samuel Hall—it was where they'd met on a strange and and sinister case.

They never dreamed that they'd be called back. That history could repeat itself in a most macabre and terrifying fashion.

But, then again, it was Salem at Halloween. Seasoned Krewe members, they still find themselves facing the unspeakable horrors in a desperate race to save each other—and perhaps even their very souls.

Amazon eBook ** Amazon Paperback

{EXCERPT}

Come to me. Please, come to me.

The words seemed real to Elyssa Adair, like a whisper in her mind, as she looked up at the old mansion.

The Mayberry Mortuary was decked out in a fantastic Halloween décor, customary each year starting October 1. It sat high on a jagged bluff near the waterfront in Salem, Massachusetts. Just driving toward it, at night, was like being in a horror movie. Dense trees lined the paved drive and it was surrounded by a graveyard. The old Colonial building, when captured beneath the moonlight, seemed to rise from the earth in true Gothic splendor.

She shivered and looked around at her friends, wondering if the words had been spoken by one of them. Vickie Thornton and Barry Tyler sat in the backseat, laughing with one another and making scary faces. Nate Fox was driving, his dark eyes intent on the road.

No one in the car had spoken to her.

She gave herself a silent mental shake. She could have sworn she’d actually heard a whisper. Clear as day. Come to me. Strangely, she wasn’t afraid. She loved the artistry of Halloween—the fun of it—and few places in the world embraced the day like Salem.

This was home and she loved Salem, despite the sad history of witch trials and executions. A lot of that was steeped in lure and myth, but the local Peabody Essex museum and other historic venues seemed to go out of their way to remind visitors of the horror that came from petty jealousy and irrational fear.

“Boo,” Nate said, leaning toward her.

She jumped with a start.

She’d been deeply involved in her thoughts and the view of the old mansion. Nate, Vickie, and Barry all giggled at her surprise.

“Do you have to do that,” she murmured.

He frowned, his eyes back on the road. “Elyssa, we’ve done this every year since we were kids. So are you really scared now?”

“Of course not,” she said, and tried to smile.

She loved Nate. They were both just eighteen, but they’d been seeing one another since their freshman year. She was young, as everyone kept reminding her, but she knew that she would love him all of her life. Despite them being opposites. She was a bookworm, born and raised in the East, red hair and green eyes. He was from South Dakota, a Western boy, whose mom had been from nearby Marblehead but whose dad had been a half Lakota Sioux. He was tall and dark with fabulous cheekbones and a keen sense of ethics and justice. He was their high school’s quarterback, and she was debate team captain.

“Don’t be silly,” she said. “Last year, I played a zombie, remember?”

And what a role. She’d arose from the embalming table and attacked one of her classmates who’d played the mortician, terrifying the audience.

Nate grinned. “That you did. And what a lovely zombie you were.”

Please.

She heard the single word and realized no one in the car had spoken it.

About Heather Graham:

New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Heather Graham majored in theater arts at the University of South Florida. After a stint of several years in dinner theater, back-up vocals, and bartending, she stayed home after the birth of her third child and began to write, working on short horror stories and romances. After some trial and error, she sold her first book, WHEN NEXT WE LOVE, in 1982 and since then, she has written over one hundred novels and novellas including category, romantic suspense, historical romance, vampire fiction, time travel, occult, and Christmas holiday fare. She wrote the launch books for the Dell's Ecstasy Supreme line, Silhouette's Shadows, and for Harlequin's mainstream fiction imprint, Mira Books.

Heather was a founding member of the Florida Romance Writers chapter of RWA and, since 1999, has hosted the Romantic Times Vampire Ball, with all revenues going directly to children's charity.

She is pleased to have been published in approximately twenty languages, and to have been honored with awards frorn Waldenbooks. B. Dalton, Georgia Romance Writers, Affaire de Coeur, Romantic Times, and more. She has had books selected for the Doubleday Book Club and the Literary Guild, and has been quoted, interviewed, or featured in such publications as The Nation, Redbook, People, and USA Today and appeared on many newscasts including local television and Entertainment Tonight.

Heather loves travel and anything have to do with the water, and is a certified scuba diver. Married since high school graduation and the mother of five, her greatest love in life remains her family, but she also believes her career has been an incredible gift, and she is grateful every day to be doing something that she loves so very much for a living.  

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☼ Freebie Tuesday (Edition #90) ☼

Happy Tuesday/Halloween Week! 

I will be tweeting random freebies that I can find on any given day so if you're looking for more free books make sure to follow me on twitter @JackieBookWorld. :)

***Note that there will be some books that will be free for limited time only, so make sure to download them as soon as you can. Also if there is any specific genre that you guys want me to find books of, let me know in the comment section below. (:  Enjoy! 

*Older Editions will be linked on the menu section (above) under Freebie Tuesday:)

Elsker

by S.T. Bende

Release Date: May 22nd 2013 by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform 

Series: The Elsker Saga #1

Pages: 304

Genres: Fantasy, New Adult, Romance, Paranormal

Kristia Tostenson prefers Earl Grey to Grey Goose and book clubs to nightclubs. But when she transfers from her one-stoplight Oregon town to Cardiff University in Wales, she falls in love with Ull Myhr. Her new boyfriend isn’t exactly what she was expecting. His cashmere sweaters and old world charm mask a warrior who's spent an eternity fighting for his very existence. Ull is an honest-to-goodness Norse god — an immortal assassin fated to die at Ragnarok, the battle destined to destroy Asgard and Earth. 

On top of being marked for death, Asgardian law prohibits Ull from tying his fate to a mortal. No matter what she feels for Ull, Kristia knows she's the one thing he can never have. With Ragnarok on the horizon and a lunatic haunting her dreams, Kristia has to find a way to convince Ull that breaking the rules is the only way to survive; that defying the order he's sworn to uphold is their only chance to be together. And when someone starts asking the wrong questions, Kristia realizes the crazy visions she's had all her life might be the key to saving their realms... even if they end up costing her her life.

(Synopsis taken from Goodreads) 

    

Dark Light

by S.L. Jennings

Release Date: October 28th 2012 by Amazon Digital Services

Series: Dark Light #1

Pages: 346

Genres: New Adult, Romance, Paranormal

Love. Sex. Magic.

Before her 20th birthday, Gabriella was pretty much clueless about all three. In love with her best guy friend since the age of 14 and too crass and intimidating for most of the male population of Colorado Springs, love and good sex were virtually a myth.

And then there’s magic. Freakin’ magic. There’s no way that legend could have a place in her less than exciting life. So why after twenty years of utter obscurity do her adopted parents hit her with the ton of bricks that is her true identity? And how the heck is she supposed to accept all this and become what she was truly created to be?

Lucky for Gabs, sexy as sin Dorian is more than equipped to help her embrace these new revelations. And while everything about him feels oh so good, she soon learns that there’s more behind his crystal blue eyes, chiseled body and exotic beauty. Something dark, menacing and downright unnatural. Yet Gabs is in way too deep to even try to turn away from him now.

Dark Light, Book 1 of the Dark Light Series, is the raw, emotional story of a young woman’s journey of self-discovery in a world that was not meant for her. And her scorching hot, lip-biting addiction for the man she can’t deny, no matter the cost.

*Contains strong adult content.

(Synopsis taken from Goodreads) 

         

Lawful Escort

by Tina Folsom

Release Date: January 7, 2014

Series: Eternal Bachelors Club #1

Pages: 153

Genres: Romance

When Daniel has to travel to San Francisco and needs an escort for a social event, the beautiful Sabrina shows up on his doorstep. Little does he know that she's not an escort. Their encounter quickly turns steamy until lies threaten to destroy their passionate affair.

(Synopsis taken from Goodreads) 

       

Happy Reading! :)