Friday, April 4, 2014

Author Feature: Beth Rinyu

Our Feature Author is the amazing Beth Rinyu!! I am honored to feature this amazing Author her books touched my heart and brought a smile to my face!! Thanks again Beth for giving me this opportunity to tell the world about how amazing you are and for giving them the chance to love your books as much as I do ;)           
~Raquel~







The Exception To The Rule
Synopsis
When Katrina “Kat” Vallia, an idealistic if somewhat naive 20-something American pediatrician travels halfway across the globe to volunteer in a poor African village, she looks at it as a means of closure. Following a bitter breakup with her unfaithful boyfriend, she decides to throw herself into her work without any distractions from a man. That’s until she encounters Dr. Julian Kiron, a handsome, career driven pediatric oncologist. Even though she tries to fight it, Kat finds herself falling deeply for him; until she painfully realizes that they both want totally different things from life. Not willing to compromise for the other, they sadly say goodbye, cutting all ties.

Five years later, Kat’s happy world is turned upside down when she is given devastating news. She must now confront her past and the secret she’s harbored for years. But will saving the one she loves most also rekindle the love she let slip away?


Buy Links


Amazon:

B&N:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-exception-to-the-rule-beth-rinyu/1114187732?ean=9780615739229



An Unplanned Lesson 

Synopsis
Nicole Morgan, the new second grade teacher at Pineview Elementary school, has it all together in the classroom; it’s her personal life that she can’t find peace with. Unable to let go of the guilt that she is harboring from her past, she punishes herself by running from all potential relationships.

Her patience is put to the test when Dailan O’Maley the obnoxious but very sexy uncle of one of her students enters her life. She slowly cracks away at Dailan’s crude, crass exterior when they are forced to work together for the sake of his nephew. The two of them learn a lesson in love that neither had planned as they discover that the guilt they are hiding deep inside isn’t the only thing they have in common. Unbeknownst to her, he holds more than just the key to her heart.
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Review
5 stars. An unplanned lesson was a funny romantic read and I loved every minute of it. Nicole is like the black sheep in the family she has secrets in her past that her family wont forget and they can care less what happens to her. Nicole cant let go of the past and move on she refuses to give any guy a chance to get close enough to have a relationship because she is the last person who deserves to be happy or so she thinks. When Dailan walks into her life or more like barges in hes rude, cocky and has one thought in his head to get Nicole in the sack. Dailan and Nicole have a relationship like no other they will make you laugh, swoon and just smile. This story takes you on a crazy relationship rollercoaster that you wont want to get off. I love this book from the first page to the last getting more and more intrigued as the story went on you cant help but fall in love with these characters and eveyrthing they have been through and are going through together. Beth's writing pulls you in with every word and bring you into her world and holds you their with every page.
~Raquel~








Drowning in Love


Synopsis
Mia Taylor has a huge heart, but just how much pain can one heart endure? Mia was living the picture perfect life, engaged to her high school sweetheart and working at her dream job at an upscale salon in New York City. She had it all. Until the day her past, present and future were taken away, leaving her to face the world scared and alone. Trying to pick up the pieces of her broken life, while mourning the devastating loss of her fiancé she just goes through the motions as an empty shell.

Enter Travis Montgomery, Olympic swimmer and totally gorgeous. He has several medals under his belt and just as many women. Mia is well aware of his womanizing reputation and refuses to be his next conquest, but finds herself coming alive again whenever she’s around him. They agree to be “just friends,” quickly finding that they are unable to fight the attraction between them. Mia’s life becomes complete once again with Travis in it; but nothing good lasts forever, at least not in Mia’s world. Torn apart by an ugly secret, Mia’s heart is broken once again.

When the unthinkable happens and Travis needs Mia the most, she must reach deep inside to find forgiveness for the one man who will always hold the key to her shattered heart. But will doing so only break it further; this time beyond repair?


Buy Links


Amazon

B&N:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/drowning-in-love-beth-rinyu/1115943835?ean=2940148215646




An Unplanned Life

Synopsis
In the sequel/prequel to An Unplanned Lesson,Nicole and Dailan are living out their happily ever after, raising Ryan and their daughter. Nicole has the perfect life and is no longer running away from her emotions. But when her past collides with her present,that perfect life slowly begins to crumble.

When Dailan gets in over his head taking on a huge case, that quickly becomes personal to him, Nicole and their marriage soon get put on the back burner. To make matters worse his new assistant is Rachel Wiser,the girl who made Nicole's life a living hell in high school.

Take the emotional journey into Nicole's past when she's faced with old ghosts, while she tries to cope with the effects that it's having on her present. Nicole must prove that she is no longer a scared teenager and fight with all that she has to protect the one person that she endured so much heartache for while trying to save her marriage to the one and only man who allowed her to open her heart.

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A Cry for Hope


Synopsis
Hope McAdams life as she knew it ended on the same day that her eight year old son’s did.

Eight months later she's trying to regain some semblance of normality, while trying to repair her once perfect marriage to a man who was her best friend, but now a complete stranger. Coming to the painful realization that she must fix the hole that’s deep within her heart, she goes home to the place that she grew up in hopes that time and distance will heal her wounds and lead her back to the man she loves.

Nick Abate is an old friend of Hope’s whose heart is also on the mend. He’s home on leave from the Marines, and when he and Hope reconnect, their friendship picks up right where they left off, years ago. They both begin to heal and feel whole again with the help of each other. But when their friendship crosses the line, will Hope be able to forgive herself and move on, or will the guilt that she is harboring once again cause her to slip back into the place that she has just escaped?

What happens when two tortured souls place their trust in each other? Will they find their way back to the ones they love or will their hearts remain connected forever? 
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Review
5 stars. Hope is lost and doesnt know if she will ever find her way home. When Hope's 8 year old son dies her relationship with her husband does to. Hopes world starts to fall apart before her eyes and the only way she can think to fix it is to go home. When Hope goes home she runs into her best friend Nick Abate who is also home from the service.Nick and hope are damaged and broken but together  they start to heal each other one broken piece after another. This book tore my heart out and had me in tears but Beth does it in a beautiful way. You cant help but fall in love with each character and feel each emotion they go through within the story. A cry for hope is about love, heartbreak and healing. Finding hope and picking up the pieces of a life that is beyond fixable. Beth is an amazing writer and Ive loved every book she has written and look forward to more of her beautiful touching stories.
~Raquel~













Author Bio:
Ever since I can remember, I have always enjoyed Creative Writing. There was always something about being able to travel to a different place or become a different person with just the stroke of a pen - or in today's world a touch of the keyboard. I am the author of The Exception To The Rule, An Unplanned Lesson, An Unplanned Life and Drowning In Love and A Cry for Hope. I am currently working on A Will To Change the companion novel to A Cry For hope....stay tuned!

My life is not as interesting as my books or the characters in them, but then again whose life is? I was born and have lived in New Jersey my whole life. I'm a mom of twin teenage boys, a teenage stepson, a crazy Border Collie and a cat with an identity crisis! I guess you can say writing is my form of Calgon! I am married to a wonderful guy - but we'll keep that between us, I don't want him getting a big head! 

Thanks for taking the time to learn about my books and me! If you decide to read them (and I hope you do!) please be sure to go on and review it for me - yes, even if you don't like them!


Author Interview



1. What inspired you to write your first book? I had an idea in my head for over twelve years, finally one day I sat down and typed it out and The Exception to The Rule was born.
 
2. Do you have a specific writing style? I love to create deep characters. Character development is my main goal when I write. I want you to be able to love, hate, get angry at, laugh with and cry with my characters and feel as if you are sitting right in the same room with them.

3. What’s your favorite food?  Chocolate, chocolate and oh yeah, chocolate!

4. Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp? I like all my books to have happy endings and I think each of my books in some way have their own personal message. Whether it be never giving up, staying strong or fighting for what you believe in.

5. Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life? Loosely, I try to take some of the funny or embarrassing things that have happened to me over the years and try to incorporate them into my books (i.e . Nicole’s texting debacle in An Unplanned Lesson….totally happened to me!)

6. What books have most influenced your life most?  To Kill A Mockingbird is my all
 time favorite with such a powerful message. I love books with symbolism and  strong messages.

7. If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor? Hmm that’s a hard one, there are so many great authors out there but if I had to pick one….Wally Lamb I love his books and their uniqueness, love his characters and his writing style.

8. What book are you reading now? Well, I have severe ADD when it comes to reading especially when I’m writing but since I just wrapped up my latest novel I am currently reading The power to See by Jennifer Anne Davis

9. Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?  Amy Queau she is an awesome writer. Love the progress series.

10. What are your current projects? I just finished writing A Will To Change (the companion novel to A Cry For Hope) I have the start of idea for a new book…not quite there yet though.

11. What is your most embarrassing moment?  We could be here all day with this one….too many to tell! Read my books there are a lot of them in there!

12. Do you have any strange writing habits? I write best in front of the TV watching reruns of Law & Order SVU

13. If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book? NOPE not a thing I LOVE it!

14. Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?  I always loved to write poetry and creative writing in school. It always fascinated me to be able to escape to another world or become a different person with just words.

15. Can you share a little of your current work with us? I just released A Cry For Hope last month and have just finished up with the Companion novel to it A Will To Change, which is about Hope’s womanizing firefighter brother in law that I think the ladies will fall in love with….I sure am! I’m having a serious writing hangover after this one.

16. Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
1.     The epilogue, I love epilogues and in my opinion they can either make or break a book.
2.      Believe or not, coming up with characters names.
3.      The dreadful synopsis.

17. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Hmmm….hopefully still being able to come up with ideas to write more books or retired on a beautiful island because Oprah has read and loved all of my books….I can dream, right?

 18. What was the hardest part of writing your book? Getting up the courage to hit publish for the very first time and knowing that my family, friends and coworkers were going to be reading it….yeah, I’m over that now!

19. Do you have any advice for other writers?  If you have a story to tell write it! Write for yourself as if no one else will ever read it. Don’t worry about sales, rankings and all of that other stuff that comes along with it. Writing from your heart is more valuable than any amount of money that you will ever make and it will reflect in your writing.

20. Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers? Yes, thank you, thank you , thank you! I love to meet new people through my books and I have met some really great ones on this journey! I love chatting with my readers and most of all I love when my readers fall in love with my characters the same way that I have…..because after all, they are real…lol



21. What were the challenges (research, literary, psychological, and logistical) in bringing it to life? Research is the biggest challenge to me. I’m so disorganized with life…just ask my husband! But in my fictional world I am a perfectionist so I will research like crazy to make sure that my facts are straight and accurate.
Time management is another thing…..my boys are sixteen they would much rather hang out with their friends and their Xbox than me but sometimes I do feel a guilty when I’m in the middle of writing and one of them wants to sit down and have a conversation. Anyone with a teenage boys knows that doesn’t happen often! So I try my best to divide my time between the real world and the fictional one. Although the fictional one is much more fun!










Thursday, April 3, 2014

Blog Tour: Everybodys Somebody


Title: Everybody's Somebody
Author: D. Breeze
Expected Publishing Date: March 7, 2014
Hosted by: Tantalizing Promotions


Rhianne Shepard is odd. Well, she thinks she is. 

Actually, she's gifted, she's beautiful and she's extraordinary, but she's lonely. No friends, no family except her mother. Thinking she's destined to spend the rest of her life hidden in her solitary existence, she thinks that no one knows the REAL Rhianne even exists.


Jamie Travis does. Even though they've never spoken. Not once. He wants her to know that he cares, he knows she exists and he wants her to start living.


Circumstances throw them together, and Jamie thinks he finally has his chance to show Rhianne that she really is someone special. But he could never have guessed the battle he faces against the doubts in her mind, put there by a mentally ill mother, an estranged father and a gift that she might never understand.


Does he really have the ability to fight her inner demons, and win? Or is he fighting a losing battle?

Release Blitz: Selective Memory

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Title: Selective/Memory (The Depth of Emotion, #2)
Author: D.D. Lorenzo
Release Date: April 3, 2014
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Cover Artist: Regina Wamba, http://www.maeidesign.com/
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Synopsis

“Selective/Memory”
Reception or retrieval of only some of
the events in an experience.
Darkness Descended…
After tragedy claimed love as its victim, Declan and Aria struggle to move forward alone. They each have endured hurt and devastation inflicted and influenced by circumstance.


Rebuilding Slowly…
Aria’s inner strength is brought to the surface as she regains control of both her emotions and her body, but Declan’s supremacy over her heart is a consequence as a result of loving him so completely.


Blatant Trivialization…
As thoughts of Aria continue to haunt him, Declan attempts to minimize their effect on him using whatever means possible, no matter the effect on himself or its impact on his relationships.


An Agenda of Evil…
Revenge reigns supreme in Marisol’s agenda. Her satisfaction is found in the bitterness she cultivates as she grows in her contempt for Aria and her manipulations of Declan. Will she be successful in total annihilation of two people who have already suffered the crushing weight that sorrow and guilt can deliver?



Join Declan Sinclair and Aria Cole in “Selective/Memory”, Book Two in “The Depth of Emotion” series and witness the conclusion of their story. They will attempt to restructure their individual worlds, but fate continues to intervene by bringing them into the atmosphere of each other. Are they willing to bear love again? Will their emotions sustain the depths that their relationship exposed? Will their feelings for each other be strong enough to sustain a love that will last a lifetime?
Only Fate can Decide…
Buy The Book
Selective
About The Author
dd
DD Lorenzo is a modern-day storyteller. Her novels reach deep into the heart of readers and engage them through the emotions of her characters.

DD resides in Maryland, The Land of Pleasant Living. She met the love of her life in high school and decided to look no further. Together, they have an eclectic and amazing family. When she isn't writing stories of the impassioned lives of her characters, she is rooting for the Baltimore Ravens or the Baltimore Orioles. Her favorite pastimes include spending time with the wonderful people in her life and riding in her husband's classic Mustang to the Eastern Shore.

"Selective/Memory” is Book 2 in The "Depth of Emotion" Series. It is the conclusion to the cliffhanger “Positive/Negativity” (she promises!). There are five books planned for the series. Book 3, “Here/Now” will be centered on character Carter Sinclair, a fan favorite. “Here/Now” is planned for release Fall, 2014.


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Teaser
“Selective/Memory” by DD Lorenzo



The furnishings had arrived earlier in the week. She didn’t inconvenience herself for their arrival—there were people who handled that sort of thing—and she hated mingling with

those that didn’t matter. Money took care of them and what they did to suit her.

As she walked from room to room, she took in some of the mediocre choices she had made—all for his taste—so she could achieve her ultimate goal—him.

How did that beach bitch ever stand the look of this shit? she thought as she wrinkled her nose in distaste at the overstuffed sofa and chairs in the living room. It was a bit more elegant a display than was in Declan’s home. Of course it would be—she was Marisol Franzi! Her taste was much better than Declan’s or his former plaything. That was evident to even the most mundane decorator.

Walking through the kitchen, she snickered at the coffeemaker, thinking it almost blasé.

Did he never think of cappuccino, espresso? Did the man even remember he had been all over the world?

The kitchen looked adequate enough, but no matter, she wouldn’t be there long enough to think about it—and she certainly didn’t cook! The idea was appalling.

As her stiletto heels made a clicking sound on the shiny hardwood stairs, Marisol ascended as a queen in a kingdom. The master bedroom suite at the top of the stairs held a breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean, its iniquitous waters as black as the void in her soul. The dark night sky held not a single star, to spare her a flicker of hope in her malevolent beauty. An imposing full moon cast a sinister light into the room. It beckoned her to walk up to the large window, which could be seen from the massive bed, the wood expertly carved in the four posters.

“Oh…the things you will see me do, Mr. Moon…” she said suggestively as she reached up, first one arm, then the other, behind her to unzip her dress.

Letting it fall to the floor, Marisol made her way to the bed and crawled like a cat into the middle of its grand size as a contemptible shadow followed her from the window.

Lying there, she stared out at the moon, reveling in the knowledge that she could hear nothing but the objectionable ocean, and that no one would be able to hear the screams and moans that would come from this house. The thoughts that crossed her mind gave her the most delicious sensation running through her veins. She closed her eyes to savor the mental pictures. She had been tolerant, compliant, and even passive until she felt she would scream, but for this, she had planned every small detail. She shivered with the intensity of joy that flooded her, knowing that her efforts would not be in vain, and the time was coming soon. She’d finally get what she had planned and waited for. Nothing—and no one—could stop her. No one ever could.

When she had come to this country, and she, Marisol—THE supermodel—was created, they told her she’d never want for anything again—and they didn’t know how right they were.


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Release Blitz: Weak without him

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Title: Weak Without Him (Weakness #2)
Author: Lyra Parish
Release Date: March 31, 2014
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Synopsis
"Love is an emotion that will destroy you if you let it. It can ruin your life or create a new one. Jealousy isn't much different."
Jennifer Downs treads in dangerous waters.
Finnley Felton is unaware.
With the help of Lady Luck, they will make it through.
Or will they?

Texas is nothing compared to Vegas but among the bright lights and busy streets, Jennifer discovers who she is. Her life has changed, and for better or worse, she continues to live like tomorrow will never come.

Sabotage. Hatred. Betrayal.

Although love is beautiful and kind, it comes with consequences.

Jennifer finds herself fighting. Fighting for her rights, for love, for Finnley, and for her life.

Hearts may be broken.
Lives will change.
But the ultimate question remains: can love win all?


Buy the Book
Weak Without Him (Weakness #2)
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Weak For Him (Weakness #1)
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About the Author
7256865
Words make the world go round. I love to write, travel, and sing really loud at the top of my lungs in the shower. Sweet love stories (along with the dirty ones) make me gush. I am firm believer that a person can never have too many cats or cups of coffee, and that the F word is necessary.

Forget the beach! Give me a gel pen, a stack of blank paper, and beautiful mountains!



Giveaway
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Title: Reckless Together
Author: Gina Robinson
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: April 3rd

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Synopsis
Book Three of the Reckless Series

A Contemporary New Adult College Romance



The stunning conclusion of Ellie and Logan's love story that began on a hot August night in Reckless Longing and continued through the depths of winter in Reckless Secrets...



Ellie



My mother is a liar, a seductress, a keeper of family secrets, and a master manipulator. She took Austin from me. Now she claims she wants forgiveness. But she's after Logan. I know she is. He thinks he can protect me from her. I love him for trying, for playing hero, but he doesn't know her like I do. She'll charm him until he lets his guard down and then she'll strike so quickly he'll never see the attack coming. I may already be too late to stop it.



Logan's love is essential to me, like sunshine and deep nurturing breaths. He's my all. I can't live without him. But there's so much standing in the way of our happiness. As dangerous as she is, Mom is the least of my worries. I'm fighting the darkness Logan is struggling with, the upcoming trial, his family, and sometimes I even think I'm fighting a phantom of myself. But I won't give up. Ever.



Logan



I wish I could make El understand how much I love her, but I'm losing control. She makes me lose control. Since the abuse, that scares me shitless and brings back the guilt and the memories I want to erase. Things that have nothing to do with El, and everything because they affect the man I want to be for her.



I can't face losing her. I don't want her to hear the ugly truth about me, but I have to testify. I have to, even though I'm risking everything and fighting my dad and myself to do it. After it's over, will El still love me? I have to help her reconcile with her mom. Then maybe she'll understand.



This is a contemporary romance with mature themes, language, and situations. Readers should be over 17!



Review:

This is actually the 3rd book in Gina Robinson’s Reckless series…considering that I actually didn’t read that 1st & 2nd books, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book.  I would suggest reading the other books prior to reading this one, just to have a better understanding of what’s going on, but I was able to follow the storyline and get the basic history of the characters from helpful “flashback” scenes that Gina so thoughtfully weaved into the plot. 

I’m pretty impressed with the characters Gina has created for this series, they are all so multi-dimensional with very diverse and engaging personalities.  Gina is truly gifted in this area, which is specifically showcased in the way she took me from despising Ellie’s Mother, Melissa, at the beginning of the book…to absolutely adoring her by the end.  What made the transition believable for me, was the subtle way Gina went about doing this, instead of a quick and improbable one-time action or deed, Gina rationed out insights of Melissa’s genuine efforts to repair the relationship she destroyed with her daughter, Ellie, and reveal a traumatic experience in Melissa’s past that helped to explain the reason behind some of Melissa’s poor judgment and unhealthy behaviors.  Ironically, based upon my initial dislike of Melissa, she turned out to be my favorite character. 

Ok, so now that I feel I’ve kinda done this a little “ass-backward”, by highlighting more of a side character than the leads, let me say that I also liked the main characters… Ellie and Logan, as well.  Lemme see if I can explain this correctly, even though Ellie and Logan both seemed like the stereotypical Mr. & Mrs. Hottie of the college campus scene, they were also so much more…and every layer that Gina attributed to them not only reflected original perspective, but also maintained a refreshing semblance of realism.  And that combination certainly sets the stage for readers to form strong connections with a book’s characters and an emotional investment in their journeys. 
4 Stars  ~Kathy

Buy The Book


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About The Author
Gina


Gina Robinson is the award-winning author of the contemporary new adult romances Reckless Longing, Reckless Secrets, and Reckless Together and the Agent Ex series of humorous romantic suspense novels. She's currently working on a new contemporary romance/new adult series called Switched in Love, all about the perils of falling in love with someone who isn't who you think they are. What happens when you find the love you're looking for in the most unusual circumstances and with the last person you ever thought you'd be attracted to? Look for the first Switched in Love romance in early summer 2014.


Connect with Gina Online:
Twitter: @ginamrobinson

Excerpt
Ellie

I hated my mother. She'd done it again. This time from across the state. Intruded on what should have been one of the most beautiful moments of my life. After swearing for my entire existence I'd never have sex with any guy I wasn't totally sure was long term, I slept with Logan Walker. Trusted him with my heart and my body. He was so sweet, thinking he could protect me from Mom. That anybody could. He didn't know her like I did. Didn't know how cunning she could be. How devious.

Just like I hadn't known it was possible to feel such an intricate cocktail of emotions—love, lust, ecstasy, total happiness, fear, and blinding rage. It would have been absolutely heady, except for the anger. I'd kept my fury under control while I'd been with Logan, focusing all my attention and thoughts on staying in the moment with him. The guy had literally had a heart in his hands. A balloon heart. But still, how could I resist that? And the sweet, funny way he'd stocked up on protection? And how he couldn't stay away from me, no matter how hard he tried?

But now that I was back in my dorm room, thoughts of my mother and her Snow White's Evil Queen Stepmother act popped into my mind. Or maybe she was more like Alice in Wonderland's Queen of Hearts playing a giant chessboard with my life. What was her game? What was her next move? Whatever she had planned, I had to stop it.

My hands trembled as I pulled my cell phone out. I took a deep breath. She and I had been estranged since she slept with Austin, my boyfriend before Logan. And I left her and came to college to find my bio dad, Jason Front. I had a delicate new relationship with him and his wife and baby. Mom could destroy all that, too. She didn't know I'd come to the university to find him. She didn't know he was here at all.

I hesitated on the verge of battle. I had to risk it. I'd chance anything to keep her away from Logan and me. I stared at the phone another second as I gathered up my courage. We hadn't spoken since before Christmas. It was nearly March now. She'd take my call. I knew she would. In fact, I was certain she was waiting for it. I hit the button that dialed her and braced myself.

"Ellie!" She picked up before it even rang. That was how confident she'd been that I'd call. That was how expectant she was.

Which put me even more on edge—what did she want? Melissa Ann Sawyer always wanted something. She never gave anything away and she never played for free.

"Leave Logan alone! Stay the hell away from him!"

It was the wrong way to lead. I'd let my anger get in the way of my scheming and common sense. I'd forgotten my own chess metaphor.

She laughed. "So you finally slept with him." Her voice was amused and as nubby as raw silk, not quite her usual polished self. But as grating as ever in its confidence. "I was wondering how long you'd hold out. He's a handsome boy. Now you can finally stop blaming me for ruining your life. You've turned out just like me."

"Not just like you," I said. "I'm not pregnant."

"That you know about. Be extra careful, Ellie. We're fertile girls when we're young and careless!" She laughed again.

Mom had a laugh for everything, like life always amused her, even when it was tragic. Even when there was absolutely nothing funny about it. This time it felt like she was laughing at herself as much as at me.

"I didn't say I slept with him." And I hadn't said I hadn't. Semantics were everything when playing with Mom's fire.

"Of course you have. That's why you're so protective and possessive of him now. He finally felt close enough to you, confident enough to tell you that he and I have been talking. And so you rushed to protect him from big, bad me. It all adds up. And I can tell from your voice you've lost your virginity."

"You cannot."

She'd used that "I can hear it in your voice" tactic on me since I was little. I'd outgrown my belief in her magical abilities to read voices and see out of the back of her head.

"I hear it in your denial."

"Just stay away from him!" I pulled the phone away from my ear, ready to hang up.

"Or what?" Devoid of laughter and completely serious, she was the ice queen, full of menace.


Ellie's Top-Secret Cobblestone Bars


Crust

1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, softened

1 cup sugar

4 Tbsp. Dutch baking cocoa

1 tsp. vanilla extract

heaping 1/4 tsp. baking powder

3/4 cup + 1 Tbsp. all-purpose flour

1 extra large egg



Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix well. Add all dry ingredients and mix well. Spread into 13x9 pan.



Filling

1/2 stick butter, softened

6 oz cream cheese

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 tsp . vanilla extract

1 small egg

2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour



Cream butter, cream cheese and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix well. Add flour and mix until smooth. Spread over the crust evenly.



1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips



Sprinkle evenly over the filling. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.



2 1/2 cups mini-marshmallows



Sprinkle on the baked crust/filling and bake an additional 2 minutes.



Frosting

4 Tbsp. butter

2 oz. cream cheese

2-1/2 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/3 cup 2% milk

2-1/2 Tbsp. Dutch baking cocoa



Cream butter. Add cream cheese. Add half the powdered sugar. Add the milk and vanilla. Mix until smooth. Mix cocoa and remaining powdered sugar together. Add to the milk mixture. Mix until smooth. Pour over the melted marshmallows and swirl together. Cool. Cut into bars.



Servings: About 18 bars.


Reckless Bundle Coming Soon



reckless bundle



Great value! Save up to 44% compared to buying each book separately!



This series is contemporary romance with mature themes, language, and situations. Readers should be over 17!



Reckless Longing



Book One

A Contemporary New Adult College Romance



Ellie and Logan's love story begins one hot August night…



Ellie



My mom betrayed me in the worst way possible. I can't forgive her, but I can outwit her. I'm going to unravel the family secret she's been keeping from me my whole life. So I'm going to college across the state from her, to the place that has the answers. I hope. But I have to be careful or I'll blow everything. I can't tell anyone what I'm doing.



I didn't mean to fall in love. I can't afford to give my heart away or open up to anyone, least of all charming, rich, former bad boy baseball star Logan Walker. But he looked so adorable sitting there nursing a black eye the night I met him at my very first campus event. The way he held my hand made me flush in the suffocating heat of August and feel really beautiful for the first time in so long I can't remember. My scar didn't even hurt.



But Logan's moods are mercurial. He's keeping secrets of his own that are too dark to share, even with me. We agree to be just friends. But our hearts and bodies have minds of their own. Before I know it, I'm in too deep with him and the answer to the family secret I came to campus to find may be the thing that tears us apart.





Reckless Secrets



Book Two

A Contemporary New Adult College Romance



The engaging continuation of Ellie and Logan's love story that began on a hot August night in Reckless Longing...



Ellie



My bitch of a mother kept a family secret from me for nineteen years. I outsmarted her and found out what it is. Now I should be deliriously happy. I am happy. Except…I have to keep it from Logan. At the same time, I know I should tell him. If he finds out by accident, he'll hate me and feel betrayed. But it's complicated and I have to wait until things fall into place or it will cause problems for my newly found dad.



And Logan is wrestling with his own demons. Because of me. Dex and I just meant to prank our hideous chem prof. We didn't mean to hurt anyone, least of all Logan. If I'd known it would expose his secret, I never would have done it. I love him so much. I can't lose him. I won't. I just hope he can forgive me.



Reckless Together



Book Three

A Contemporary New Adult College Romance



The stunning conclusion of Ellie and Logan's love story that began on a hot August night in Reckless Longing and continued through the depths of winter in Reckless Secrets...



Ellie



My mother is a liar, a seductress, a keeper of family secrets, and a master manipulator. She took Austin from me. Now she claims she wants forgiveness. But she's after Logan. I know she is. He thinks he can protect me from her. I love him for trying, for playing hero, but he doesn't know her like I do. She'll charm him until he lets his guard down and then she'll strike so quickly he'll never see the attack coming. I may already be too late to stop it.



Logan's love is essential to me, like sunshine and deep nurturing breaths. He's my all. I can't live without him. But there's so much standing in the way of our happiness. As dangerous as she is, Mom is the least of my worries. I'm fighting the darkness Logan is struggling with, the upcoming trial, his family, and sometimes I even think I'm fighting a phantom of myself. But I won't give up. Ever.



Logan



I wish I could make El understand how much I love her, but I'm losing control. She makes me lose control. Since the abuse, that scares me shitless and brings back the guilt and the memories I want to erase. Things that have nothing to do with El, and everything because they affect the man I want to be for her.



I can't face losing her. I don't want her to hear the ugly truth about me, but I have to testify. I have to, even though I'm risking everything and fighting my dad and myself to do it. After it's over, will El still love me? I have to help her reconcile with her mom. Then maybe she'll understand.


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