Think Devyn. What did you miss? What did you miss?
What…Did…You…Miss?
Nothing…I’ve missed…nothing. I force myself to go over the list again.
Players identified…check.
Dossiers on each player complete…check.
Strengths identified…check.
Weaknesses magnified…check.
Invitations constructed and ready to be sent…check, check, check.
I’ve put in the work. Constructed a flawless game that will end with my man at the top of the heap, and I swear to God should he fall I will raze this fucking city to the ground and every person in it will burn.
Deep breath Devyn. Deep…breath.
You’ve checked all boxes. Breathe easy.
♦ ♦ ♦
M. Jay Granberry is first and foremost an insatiable reader.
Among her favorite things are classic fairy tales, smutty books where characters have heart, old lady sweaters (preferably chunky knit), gift baskets (giving not receiving), and charcuterie trays (green olives, smoked cheese, and Genoa salami).
She is a true Las Vegas native, the one in Nevada not New Mexico, and to answer the most frequently asked questions about growing up in Sin City…
No, she doesn’t live in a hotel.
No, she has never been a stripper although she does know some.
Prostitution is absolutely illegal in Clark County (Las Vegas)!
And what happens in Vegas does indeed stay in Vegas.
M. Jay earned a degree in words and stories, and after fifteen plus years of doing everything other than writing, she penned her first novel.
Giving a voice to characters, that are strong yet fragile, that are sometimes uncomfortably real, that express love in dirtiest ways with the sweetest sentiments is honestly a dream come true.
Broken. Shattered. Forever searching for something I knew I’d never find. . . Happiness.
I was a girl with no purpose, with no reason to keep going—I was barely living.
Life had been nothing but a cruel joke to me. I had found love, only to lose it. I had found hope, only to watch it get snatched from my arms.
I had nothing left.
But from the darkness came a man.
He saw something in me that I couldn’t.
He saw life, he saw the girl that I had lost somewhere along the way; he saw a second chance.
With his help, I picked up the glass around my feet and put my life back together.
He gave me more than anyone ever could.
He gave me his heart.
And I wanted to give him mine, I just didn’t know how.
I needed to let go of the past to truly let him in.
So I did what I never could before, I gave myself a voice. I wrote a letter.
And that letter changed everything.
Amazon Review – “ Fantastic read”
Amazon Review – “Emotional and Raw!!”
Amazon Review – “Deeply emotional and beautiful”
I’m not dead, but I should be.I spent five years of my life running.
Some people run away and never really know why. They just go, never looking back, never thinking about the past. They write it off as if it never happened.
But I know why I ran, I saw it every time I looked in the mirror or heard a baby cry.
It was always there, replaying inside my head when my eyes closed, when there was nothing but silence surrounding me. There was no escaping those memories. No way to erase them from my mind or banish them from my heart.
My only solace was having the power to numb it. That was all I could do.
Until I couldn’t anymore.
I’ve wanted to tell my story for a really long time now, with the hope that maybe it could give other girls, just like me, the chance to see that life doesn’t have to be a certain way. It doesn’t matter how deep the hole is, you can always climb out.
It’s never too late, not unless it’s your very last breath, and even then I’d still say keep on fighting. Fight for more air, fight for what’s yours; fight for the right to keep going.
What you go through doesn’t define you, it doesn’t have to follow you around like a giant black cloud. All of it—it only makes you stronger.
I’m stronger now than I’ve ever been, but for some reason, I still can’t find the strength I need to tell my story so people can hear it. I can’t utter it out loud—shit, I can’t even whisper what’s inside my head.
But writing it, that’s different.
When your voice isn’t strong enough to float through the air so others can hear you, what do you do?
Do you stop talking?
Do you shy away from using your lips and trade it for silence?
No.
You transfer your thoughts and words into long strokes of ink, so your voice will last forever. . . You will last forever.
My story isn’t for the weak, it’s not going to fill you with so much joy your heart will explode. What I can tell you is that I got my happily ever after, I just needed a hero to show me I had to work for it.
Growing up in a small town, Leah Holt’s imagination was able to run wild. She loves to write romance that is full of broken heroes you can’t help but fall in love with. Having three children of her own, life is filled with far too many cartoons and not enough bad boys. Writing has become an outlet for her to let out all of the dirty, forbidden thoughts inside her head. When she’s not typing to the point her fingers hurt, you can find her downing coffee and trying to keep track of reality. Which is never easy when she’d rather have her nose in a book or creating stories that will leave you breathless and wanting more.
EXODUS, book two, is the explosive conclusion in The Ravenhood Duet from best-selling author, Kate Stewart, is coming August 6th! Get ready for a sinfully 𝐇𝐎𝐓, 𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐒𝐓𝐘, 𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋, and 𝐓𝗪𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐃 love story filled with suspense, a little action, and 𝐀𝐋𝐋. 𝐎𝐅. 𝐓𝐇𝐄. 𝐅𝐄𝐄𝐋𝐒!
EXODUS (The Ravenhood Duet, book 2) by Kate Stewart
It’s a ghost town, this place that haunts me, the one that made me.
It’s clear to me that I’ll never outgrow Triple Falls or outlive the time I spent here.
I can still feel them all, my boys of summer.
Even when I’d sensed the danger, I gave in.
I didn’t heed a single warning. I let my sickness, my love, both rule and ruin me. I played my part, eyes wide open, tempting fate until it delivered.
There was never going to be an escape.
All of us are to blame for what happened. All of us serving our own sentences. We were careless and reckless, thinking our youth made us indestructible, exempt from our sins, and it cost us all.
I’m done pretending I didn’t leave the largest part of me between these hills and valleys, between the sea of trees that hold my secrets.
It’s the reason I’m back. To make peace with my fate.
And if I can’t grieve enough to cure myself in my time here, I’ll remain sick. That will be my curse.
But it’s time to confess, to myself more so than any other, that I’d hindered my chances because of the way I was built, and because of the men who built me.
At this point, I just want to make peace with who I am, no matter what ending I get.
USA Today bestselling author and Texas native, Kate Stewart, lives in North Carolina with her husband, Nick, and her naughty beagle, Sadie. She pens messy, sexy, angst-filled contemporary romance, as well as romantic comedy and erotic suspense. Kate’s title, Drive, was named one of the best romances of 2017 by The New York Daily News and Huffington Post. Drive was also a finalist in the Goodreads Choice awards for best contemporary romance of 2017. Her works have been featured in USA TODAY, BuzzFeed, and translated in five languages.
Kate is a lover of all things ’80s and ’90s, especially John Hughes films and rap. She dabbles a little in photography, can knit a simple stitch scarf for necessity, and on occasion, does very well at whiskey.
When life gives you lemons, put them in your bra and make you tatas look bigger. If I had done that at fourteen, maybe I would have avoided the unfortunate nickname of “Flatty Cami.”
It all started when I met Brody Murphy. I was eight years old and it was love at first sight.
Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on your perspective, he showed me his true colors six years later. We argued every time I saw him, which was a lot since he was my brother’s best friend. The hostility became outright hate when he coined that nickname I mentioned—the one that I didn’t leave behind until I graduated high school.
The day he got married and moved away was probably the luckiest day of my life and since then, I graduated college, started a business, and grew boobs so the whole nickname thing shouldn’t still bother me. Yes, I know it shouldn’t, but some grudges are worth holding.
Now, Brody’s back in town, divorced, and with his adorable daughter in tow. But he’s not the same boy I once knew. He’s a hot single dad who makes me laugh and it’s getting harder and harder to remember all the reasons I should hate him.
There’s one thing I’ve learned in life: men may come and men may go, but pizza is forever. Particularly when you have a problem.
Mine is that I can’t fall in love. Unless you count pizza. Because I definitely love me some pizza.
What was I saying? Oh, yeah, that’s right. My little problem.
After my latest failed attempt at love—with a man, not food—I needed a break, not just from dating, but from my life. What better time to take a vacation than when you realize you’re defective?
That’s how I ended up visiting my best friend, Cam. And how I found Ben Murphy. For the first time in my life, I felt more yearning for a man than I did for a deep dish supreme with extra cheese and it was scary as hell.
But unlike a pizza, Ben has the ability to break my heart.
You know the old saying: don’t put the cart before the horse? I lived by that saying. I plotted and I planned and I worked my tail off to make something of myself. It’s the way that I’ve always lived my life.
That’s why I was a twenty-five year old virgin with two more years of graduate school and two jobs. I didn’t have time for a man in my life, and I really didn’t want one either. I had goals and they definitely didn’t include falling in love.
But I did want to have sex because one thing that had never been in my plans was to lose my virginity after the age of twenty-seven. I always thought it would happen in high school. But having four older brothers kind of ruined that. No one in their right mind would cross my brothers.
So I did what I always do… I made a plan.
But there was no way to plan for J.J. McClane or what would come…well, in about nine months.
About the author Born and raised in Texas, C.C. Wood writes saucy paranormal and contemporary romances featuring strong, sassy women and the men that love them. If you ever meet C.C. in person, keep in mind that A self-professed hermit, C.C. loves to stay home, where she reads, writes, cooks, and watches TV. She can usually be found drinking coffee or wine as she spends time with her hubby, daughter, and two beagles. Represented by Stephanie Phillips at SBR Media. Contact stephanie@sbrmedia.com for inquiries. many of her characters are based on people she knows, so anything you say or do is likely to end up in a book one day.
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My life has sucked for as far back as I can remember. My folks didn’t want me so I was thrown into foster care. Let me just say lots of fun. NOT.
Then one day, my life took a dramatic change. My circumstances improved greatly. I met The Grimm Wolves MC and they took me under their wing. I became not only a prospect but also part of their brotherhood.
Now I’ve let my brothers down not once, but twice, in less than a month. What if I don’t belong with the club? Feeling the weight of life, how can I prove to the only family I have ever had that I’m worth the trouble? Or maybe the truth is I’m not reliable and useful after all? It all depends on how much of my failure The Grimm Wolves MC are willing to put up with by one of their newest prospects.
USA Today Bestselling author D. M. Earl spins stories about real life situations with characters that are authentic, genuine and sincere. Each story allows the characters to come to life with each turn of the page while they try to find their HEA through much drama and angst.
DM resides in Northwest Indiana with her husband and 8 fur babies. When not writing she loves to read, ride her Harley and garden. Also DM likes to spend time with her family and friends.
Today we have the cover reveal for Ashley R. King’s PAINTING THE LINES! Check it out and be sure to pre-order your copy today!
Title: Painting the Lines
Author: Ashley R. King
Genre: Sports Romance
Release Date: August 25th
About Painting the Lines:
Amalie Warner wants another shot to prove that she can be a successful writer. After hitting the bestseller’s list nine years ago, she’s lost her spark. Feeling pressure from her father to leave her writing behind and to work for her family’s lucrative hotel business, she’s desperate to find inspiration for her next big idea, something that challenges and excites her, something real.
Enter Julian Smoke, a failed tennis player making a dream run for the US Open. After a chance meeting at a bar, Amalie hates him instantly. He’s cocky and arrogant, but Amalie knows his story could be her big break. Could he be more?
Everyone knows that in tennis, love means zero, but these two are about to change that.
Perfect for fans of The Hating Game and Wimbledon.
Moments of joy. Close up top view of young semi-dressed couple bonding while spending time at home
Careful to wipe away his shocked expression, he rested his elbows on his knees. “All right, rich girl. I’ll play, but first tell me what you need me for.”
Amalie’s eyes sparkled with a hint of excitement. “I write fiction, and I want you to be the main character in my next book.”
“You want to write about me?” He almost felt flattered. Almost. But something told him Amalie Warner wasn’t the flattering type.
“Well, you but not really you. It’s fiction, so it’s kind of going to be based around you, about a loser who’s down and out—”
“What?”
“I mean, a guy who’s…well, a guy who’s going to try for the unthinkable.”
“Wow, your belief in me is overwhelming. Really. It’s enough to bring me to my knees.” Julian clutched his chest like he was actually overwhelmed by her words. What the girl didn’t know was that he’d pretty much do anything short of becoming a gigolo to have another shot at his dream. Despite that, he couldn’t help the impending word vomit that trailed out of his mouth. “Why don’t you just get one of your father’s tennis buddies to help you? I don’t see why you need me specifically?”
Amalie brought a slim, pale finger to her necklace, an absent look in her eyes. “My
father’s tennis buddies don’t have the underdog vibe I need. You do. Besides, I feel like your success will equal my success.”
“Meaning?”
“You had a gazillion fans and most of them still love you and still talk about how they wish you hadn’t quit the game. They’d love to see your comeback. I can totally see it now.” Her hands stretched above her in an imaginary line, “Based on the comeback journey of Julian Smoke. It would sell because you already have that built-in fan base.”
“Will your writing make it sell?”
“Since I’m writing about a real person, yes, it will. That’s where I do my best work.” Her voice was smug, her head held proudly.
Julian rubbed his chin. “So, you’re thinking you’ll get the bestseller you need? And you can guarantee that you’ll be able to fund my run for the US Open?”
Amalie responded with a sharp nod.
He shouldn’t trust her. He knew that. Her kind of people—people with more money than God—repulsed him. For them, money could buy anything. Even other people. And there he was, on the brink of being bought.
Julian stared at Amalie. Her eyes were crystals, impossible to look away from as two glaciers. Damn. He was probably going to regret this, but he extended his hand anyway. “I’m in,” he said. “But I still don’t like you.”
Amalie gave a wry smile that convinced him she was used to getting her way, then she wrapped her tiny fingers around his larger ones in a surprisingly firm shake. “The feeling’s mutual.”
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About the Author:
Ashley King is a middle school English teacher whose love of the written word began when her mom took her to the public library, letting her check out stacks of books taller than she was. She’s the least athletic person you’ll ever meet, but that doesn’t decrease her love for tennis. She loves swoony romances and is addicted to sweet tea. When she’s not teaching or writing happily ever afters, she can be found snuggled up with a book, travelling, or quoting obscure lines from her favorite movies and tv shows. She lives in a small town in Georgia with her husband, a former college tennis player with crazy amazing calves (yeah most of her male heroes have those calves), and their sweet and chatty spoiled cat, Cleo.
New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors Heidi McLaughlin and L.P. Dover come together for a sexy new series that delivers romance for every season!
For Brielle Armstrong the pomp and circumstance of the days leading up to the Kentucky Derby are truly the most thrilling time of the year. Press junkets, designer gowns, everyone schmoozing her in hopes of getting in her daddy’s good graces. What’s not to love?
But this year, her heart is racing with anticipation to see Colby Hensley. As a former trainer of her family’s champion horses, his rugged sex appeal has always filled Brielle’s mind with naughty thoughts of a little barebacked fun.
Even though Colby walked away from their farm, her father Butch, would never approve of him. But what daddy doesn’t know can’t hurt him. If their secret comes out, it could cost Brielle everything. Still, what fun is life if you don’t ride it at a gallop?
Grab your riding crop, and place your bets. It’s Derby Day!
“What happened with Colby, Brielle?”
Groaning, I close my eyes. “Everything. The man drives me insane.”
“But yet, you still love him.” The breath catches in my lungs and I can feel the burn behind my eyes. When I open them, William can see right through me. He cups my face in his hands. “You need to just tell him how you feel and get it over with. Keeping all this anger inside of you isn’t healthy.”
I scoff. “No, but it feels good to hate him. Makes him leaving not hurt as bad.”
He shakes his head. “That’s a lie and you know it. Where is he right now?”
There’s only one place I know he’ll be. “Probably at the stables.”
“Then go,” he says, nodding toward the door. “I’ll handle your father if he asks where you’re at.” He brushes off his shoulders. “He loves me.” Which is true, my father does like him and has told me plenty of times that he wants us together. William has a charisma about him that everyone seems to be attracted to. William pulls me over to the door. “Go. I got this.”
My heart beats uncontrollably and I know it’s now or never. “Thanks, Will. I love you for this.”
He winks. “I know. When you get back, I want to hear everything.”
There’s no way I can go to the stables in my dress, so I rush up the stairs while William sneaks back through the secret door. I quickly change into a pair of jeans, my boots, and a dark T-shirt. The last thing I want is someone recognizing me. There’s already a hat in my car I can use. Now all I have to do is get down to my car unnoticed. I sneak down the staircase and through the secret door. Once I’m out the back door of the kitchen, I sprint across the yard to my car.
Luckily, I get away without anyone seeing me. Over the years, I had to learn to be stealth, especially with keeping mine and Colby’s relationship a secret. It doesn’t take long to get to the stables, and when I pull into the parking lot, Colby’s truck is there. I knew it. I grab my baseball cap and slip it on.
It’s dark, but I can see the lights in the stables up ahead. My chest hurts from my heart pounding so achingly hard. Do I really want to confront him again? Yes and no. My goal was to make him think I didn’t give a shit that he left. I’m failing miserably. The more I keep things bottled up, the worse I feel. I can’t stand feeling like this anymore.
I storm into the stables and that’s when I see him with Maximus. He’s already changed out of his suit and into a pair of jeans and a snug T-shirt that hugs his perfectly sculpted biceps. I remember what it was like to be held in those arms. My gut clenches and I hide in one of the empty stalls. Colby rubs a hand down the midnight-colored stallion’s back with such tenderness. If only he knew how to treat women that way. I’m not a damsel in distress kind of woman, but dammit to hell, if he didn’t break my heart.
Groaning silently, I crouch down inside the stall. It was a mistake to come here. Now I only hope he didn’t see me. I peek through one of the cracks in the wood. Colby takes off his shirt and crams it into his back pocket.
“I know you’re there, Bri,” he calls out, running his hands down Maximus’ mane.
“Dammit,” I hiss, clenching my fists tight.
“Don’t you think it’s time we talked? You can’t hide from me forever.” His footsteps grow closer, and I freeze, hoping he’ll walk past. I slide down into the corner and hold my breath as he walks by. “I want to say I’m sorry. There’s so much I have to say.”
“Just drive the wedge in even harder, asshole,” I mumble to myself.
“I need you to come out and talk to me. I can make you if I have to, which might be kind of fun for me. You don’t want me to enjoy this, do you?” What I really want to do is smack him on the head. “Brielle?” His voice grows farther away until I hear his footsteps leave the stables. If I run out the other side, I might be able to get back to my car without him seeing me. Taking a deep breath, I slowly get to my feet and glance over the stall; the coast is clear.
The wooden door of the stall creaks and I freeze. Shit. I hold my breath and listen, but there are no footsteps approaching. As quietly as I can, I tiptoe my way to the back entrance of the stables and turn the corner, only to run right into him. He reaches for my hand, but I jerk away from him.
“You didn’t think you fooled me back there, did you?” He stares right into my eyes, but I refuse to give in.
“Screw you,” I hiss, turning on my heel. I march off but he follows close behind. “I have nothing to say to you.”
“Well, too bad. I have a shit-ton to say to you. Now stop being a brat and give me one minute.”
Sucking in a breath, I freeze. Did he really just call me a brat? Gritting my teeth, I face him head on. I half expect him to smirk, but there’s nothing but seriousness in his stormy electric blue gaze.
“All right, this ends now,” I snap, pushing on his chest. He steps back, his jaw clenched tight. “Call me a brat if you want, but I’m pissed and embarrassed. How the hell am I supposed to feel after I gave you my heart and you left? No explanations … nothing. All my father said was that you were done working with us.” Tears fill my eyes, and I hate myself for letting him see my pain. “You didn’t even have the decency to tell me you didn’t want to be with me anymore.” Huffing, I turn and march out of the stables. “Now I just feel like an idiot. So, by all means, make me sit down and hear all the reasons why you don’t want to be with me. Go ahead and call me childish, a brat, or whatever you like. I don’t care anymore,” I say, waving my arms in the air. “At least I wasn’t afraid to let you in.”
My heart thunders in my chest. It felt good to scream out my feelings, but now they are no longer mine. Never have I ever let anyone see the vulnerable side of me.
Out of nowhere, a lasso is thrown around my body. I scream when the rope bites into my skin, burning as Colby tightens it. I struggled to break free, but it’s so tight, even my hands start to tingle. I try to stand my ground, but the harder he pulls, the tighter it gets.
“Dammit, Colby. Let me go! I can’t feel my hands.” I have no choice but to willingly move my feet. If I don’t, he’ll drag me across the ground through the dirt. My dignity is more important.
“You shouldn’t have walked away,” he growls, his voice by my ear. He jerks me around and pushes me into one of the empty stalls. I turn my face away, but he grabs my chin. “I don’t think so, princess. You’re going to look at me when I say this. Do you want me to tie your hands and feet together too?”
I have no doubt he’ll do it. “Fine,” I huff, lifting my glare to his. “What do you want?”
His lips close over mine, hard and raw as he forces his tongue inside. I try to fight him off, but it’s a half-ass attempt. Who am I kidding? I don’t want him to stop. Not to mention, I can’t move. I’m at his mercy, and I like it. He pushes me into the wall, rubbing his arousal against me. Moaning, I bite his lip and he pulls away.
“You.”
Heidi McLaughlin is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of The Beaumont Series, The Boys of Summer, and The Archers.
Originally, from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband, two daughters, and their three dogs.
In 2012, Heidi turned her passion for reading into a full-fledged literary career, writing over twenty novels, including the acclaimed Forever My Girl.
When writing isn’t occupying her time, you can find her sitting courtside at either of her daughters’ basketball games.
Heidi’s first novel, Forever My Girl, has been adapted into a motion picture with LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions, starring Alex Roe and Jessica Rothe, and opened in theaters on January 19, 2018.
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author L. P. Dover is a southern belle living in North Carolina with her husband and two beautiful girls. Everything’s sweeter in the South has always been her mantra and she lives by it, whether it’s with her writing or in her everyday life. Maybe that’s why she’s seriously addicted to chocolate.
Dover has written countless novels in several different genres, including a children’s book with her daughter. Her favorite to write is romantic suspense, but she’s also found a passion in romantic comedy. She loves to make people laugh which is why you’ll never see her without a smile on her face.
Resisting her may be his toughest test of all…Finnish hockey star Miikka Laasonen may seem to live a charmed life, but the reality is that he’s lonely. His struggle with learning the English language makes it hard for him to fit in and to make matters worse, his Finnish girlfriend tires of their long-distance relationship and dumps him.
Kindergarten teacher Charlotte “Charli” Bartosiewicz made a life-changing decision in her teens, and she’s battled guilt and regret ever since. She punishes herself by refusing to date and staying to herself because she doesn’t feel worthy of love.
When introduced by a mutual friend, Miikka recognizes another lonely soul in Charli, but there’s more to it than that, something he’s never felt before. He convinces her to take a chance on him by tutoring him in English, but he really wants her to take a chance on love.
Miikka is determined to convince Charli that she’s worthy of him. But even if he does, will their love be strong enough to go the distance?
About the Author:
USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author Kat Mizera is a South Florida native. Born in Miami Beach with a healthy dose of wanderlust, she’s called Los Angeles, Long Island, upstate New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Atlanta home. She’s never been able to pick which locale is her favorite, but if pressed, she’d probably choose the west coast.
A typical PTA mom with a wonderful and supportive husband (Kevin) and two amazing boys (Nick and Max), Kat can usually be found scrapbooking or indulging in her second love (after writing) – traveling. Greece is one of her favorite places in the world. She loves that Athens is a big city with a small-town feel. The food, beaches and culture keep her going back as often as possible.
Kat’s been a working freelance writer for nearly 30 years. She sold her first article–a review of a rock concert–for $10 in 1985. Since then she’s been an entertainment journalist, waitress, bartender, legal assistant, food critic, magazine editor, substitute teacher, and sports writer. She also spent some time working at A & M Records in Los Angeles.
As you can guess from her Las Vegas Sidewinders series, Kat loves hockey and occasionally writes articles about her favorite team, the Florida Panthers. The rest of the time, she writes novels: sexy, romantic fiction that she hopes makes you as happy as it makes her. There’s something enticing about hockey players and romance…
He warned me away from her once and I’d respected his wishes, but six nights alone with her in a tropical paradise tests my loyalties.
When my fiancé calls off our wedding with only days to spare, I’m left with two non-refundable tickets to our honeymoon. The only person available to take her spot: Taylor Wesley.
I try to keep my word and keep my hands to myself, but some temptations are too hard to resist. The passion between us explodes like a stick of dynamite. With a connection this hot, someone is bound to get burned.
Ashley is an author and book lover living in Ohio with her husband and two sons. She’s loved reading since childhood and has always enjoyed creating characters and stories. She finds inspiration everywhere: a song on the radio, a person she passes on the street, a place she’s visited on vacation. She lets her imagination run wild and her fingers do the typing.
She’d rather spend her days locked away on her father’s
estate than with the guy who stole her innocence: her fiancé.
Niccolò Marchetti is living a nightmare.
Broken. Banished. Betrayed.
He’d do anything to save the girl he loves, even if it means
paying the ultimate price.
As the truth surround their legacies begins to unravel,
everything they thought they knew shatters. But Nicco will do anything to
protect the girl who taught him how to love, and she will risk it all to save
the guy who stole her heart.
The clock is ticking as old and new enemies close in.
Only this time, their love might not be enough to save them.
*King of Souls is the second book in Nicco and Ari’s
duet. Due to mature content that some readers may find distressing, this book
is recommended for readers 18+
“Nicco!”
Arianne clambered off the bed and rushed to my side.
“Wait.” I
held up my other hand to stop her. A dark angry storm was raging through me. I
wanted to hit something, to hurt and bleed.
I needed
it.
Dark
rivulets of blood seeped over my hand, but I barely felt it. I was too wired.
Too hungry for the kill.
“Let me
take a look at it.” Arianne stepped forward and I jerked back, like a caged
animal being riled.
“Nicco,
it’s me. It’s only me.” She had me cornered with no way out. My body trembled
violently as I desperately tried to hold on to my frayed rope of control.
“Nicco…”
Arianne brushed the hair from my face. My head hung low, my shoulders hunched
and tight. I wanted to kill him. I wanted to hunt him down and kill him with my
bare hands.
“Come back
to me.” She gently lifted my busted hand and inspected the damage. “It needs
cleaning. Let me see what there is.” Arianne left me and went into the
bathroom. When she came back, she had a small first aid kit. “I found it in the
cabinet. Sit.” Her gaze went to the bed, but I remained rigid.
“I need to
stand.”
“Okay. Hold
still.” She worked in silence, cleaning me up and bandaging my hand. My pulse
began to slow, the tightness in my chest easing.
It was her.
Her touch,
her calmness.
“I’m
sorry,” I choked out.
Arianne
took my face in her hands and looked right at me. God, I wanted to drown in the
dark pools of honey. “Talk to me.”
“I want to
kill him… I should have killed him.”
“So why
didn’t you?”
It was the
last thing I expected her to say, but I knew this wasn’t about her, it was
about me.
“It’s not
that simple,” I released a heavy sigh. “If I’d have killed him… it would
start something we might not be able to finish. I can’t do that to the Family,
to you.”
She nodded,
dropping one of her hands to mine and lacing them together. “I hate Scott
for what he did to me. I hate him so much that sometimes I wish you had done
it.” Arianne took a shuddering breath. “But I want a life with you. I want a
future. I can’t have that if you’re behind bars… or worse.”
“If he
hurts you again, I can’t promise I won’t do it.”
Something
flashed in her eyes, but before I could decipher it, Arianne kissed me. “I
don’t want to talk any more, Nicco. I want you to love me. I want you to make
me forget about the monsters.”
Author of over thirty mature young adult and new adult
novels, L A is happiest writing the kind of books she loves to read: addictive
stories full of teenage angst, tension, twists and turns.Home is a small town in the middle of England where she currently juggles being
a full-time writer with being a mother/referee to two little people. In her
spare time (and when she’s not camped out in front of the laptop) you’ll most
likely find L A immersed in a book, escaping the chaos that is life.
M. Jay Granberry is first and foremost an insatiable reader.
