TENSION RELEASE DAY POST AND REVIEW by RL GRIFFIN

Synopsis:

The Stella who emerges from the rubble of the bombing in Montana is a woman full of conflict. She knows she should be grateful that she lived when others didn't, but after waking in the hospital as a celebrity, complete with a new moniker, she's bitter and distrustful, questioning everything in her life. She's unsure of her friends, her new boyfriend, and her job. In addition, a face from the past reappears and threatens to take the one good thing in her life.

Stella attempts to deal with the new scrutiny of her life with her usual sense of humor, but she's filled with a new emotion that she tries desperately to hide: HATE. Her recovery is hastened by her determination to find the man who turned her into a walking scar. She's going to kill him; she needs to kill him.

Stella isn't alone. She has her close friends and her dog, Cooper. Will their support be enough to help Stella accomplish her plan, or will this endeavor be her undoing?

This book is intended for mature audiences due to strong language and sexual content.

My Review: 

OH MY SHIT!!! Where do I even begin? This book was freaking amazing! I won’t deny that you will get your emotions all twisted up and wondering “what the fuck just happened”. Trust me, it happened to me constantly throughout this book, but I loved it. This gives you a completely different feeling than from By a Thread, but a good different. RL did an awesome job that I felt that I was a part of the story. Just brace yourself for the roller coaster of emotions you are about to ride.

Stella had her life going for her. She had a great job, great friends, amazing boyfriend who adored her, a dog she loved; overall a wonderful support system behind her.  It was all taken away from her when the explosion occurred. The explosion left her damaged. Not only did it leave her physical scars that she would see every day, it left her emotional scars that she would remember every second of her life. She was the only survivor of those working in the tent that day. Stella hated what she saw in the mirror. Her body was left permanently scarred with what happened that day. The bullet wound pierced perfectly through her tattoo making it seem naturally a part of it. She was afraid George would never see her the way he used to again; he wouldn’t love her body like he once did.

I love how the story shifts back and forth from current present time to going back and recalling how Stella was recovering in the hospital in Montana. As soon as George finds out what happens to Stella, he rushes on a plane to makes sure she is okay. He goes back a forth between her and the bar until she is better and can move back home. He just got her back and he will do everything he can to keep her.  You definitely see the love he has for Stella. He has seen her recover from the loss of Jamie, but this is completely different. Stella is completely broken and is questioning everyone in her life. Will he be able to help Stella pick up the pieces this time around? Will Stella be able to trust everyone around her?  Has everything in the past 4 years been a complete lie? Who can she believe if the one person, her person, she completely trusted lied to her all that time?

Since that incident, Stella has made a name for herself. She has been known as the “FBI beauty.” She was being talked about everywhere.  Everything about her life was now available for the public to see, and there was no stopping it. While trying to recover from her injuries, the FBI was trying to investigate what happened and needed Stella’s cooperation. Despite her parents protest, she chose to go back home with George when she was released from the hospital. However, even though she was released, her job didn’t allow her to return to work. They kept making excuses for her return.  She doubted she would ever return to work there again.

George knows Stella better than anyone, even herself. He knows that the smile she puts on every day is a fake one, one that just makes everyone think she’s okay, but deep down she is not. But he loves her so much that he won’t push her. He will wait for her to come to him when she is ready to talk about what she is really feeling. He has never pushed her. As much as it pains him to see that she is keeping her true feelings from him, he wants her to come around on her terms. All he can do is show her how much he loves her and that he is in it for the long haul. Stella just wants to go back to living a normal life and he will do anything to try and make that happen. Getting shot haunts her every thought and causes her nightmares. She can’t seem to escape it. Those blue eyes torment her. She will never forget those eyes looking at her when the trigger is pulled. Jamie has actually tried to contact her a few times. Hatred fills her body and she wants nothing more than to seek revenge. Jamie has taken her life from her and she wants to avenge that. How? She has no clue. But she knows one thing for sure. George will not be a part of it. Stella feels that George deserves someone better, someone not as broken as her and someone that can commit to forever. And not someone who plans to do what she has in mind. She can never taint George with that.

Stella’s relationships with her friends have pretty much diminished. She hates Patrick for what he did to her. He lied to her all those years, when he knew the entire truth about Jamie. How could she trust him now? Since Millie was with Patrick, it put her in a tough spot. Patrick and Stella never told Mille the entire truth of what really happened between the two of them, so she doesn’t quite understand why they can't just apologize to one another. Jesse is the only person Stella can trust. She confides in him, more so than George. Jesse is an NFL player who Stella had a thing with when she and George broke up the first time around. Jesse understands Stella and what she is going through. He has faced a similar situation and has recovered from it. He is helping Stella cope. George doesn’t approve of their relationship, but there isn’t much he can do about it. Stella reassures him it is strictly friendship between the two of them and that their sexual chemistry is a thing of the past. However, the media likes to say otherwise.

Even after months have passed, there is no escaping the media. They are still camped outside of their doorstep, following her everywhere, and she is still on the news and the internet. After spending an amazing holiday with George, Stella goes back to Georgia to spend time with her parents. What George doesn’t know is that she will be using this time in Georgia to train, strengthen and prepare herself for Jamie.  Jesse is helping her train. Seeing Jesse and Stella together sends the media into a frenzy, sending George into a semi panic/fury. George is afraid that he will lose Stella. Although he feels that he needs to let her go, he loves her too much that he can’t. He will not and cannot lose her again. He will fight to keep her. Stella reassures him that the media is blowing things out of proportion.  After almost losing George, Stella finally starts to open up to him, but not about everything. Stella has one more plan to complete before she can head back home. 

Stella plans to get her life back in control. But what happens when her plan does not go according to plan?

Will Stella be able to get out of her situation safely? Will George be able to forgive Stella for not being completely open and honest with him? Will Stella ever be able to settle down and have a future with George? Will this be the final straw for George?  Will Stella ever be able to be open about everything with George?  Will she try and be the woman George deserves? Will Jamie capture her heart again? Will Stella ever move on from the explosion in Montana?

Stella is the bomb (no pun intended). This book shows the true strength the Stella has to overcome just about anything. Just when you think she has a break, shit starts to happen again. But she’s a fighter and although she struggles, she gets through anything that life throws at her. Yes she hit the bottom again, but she had George there to help her and she pushed right thought it. My heart honestly broke for George though. From the first book, he has always stood by Stella, even if it was just waiting for her to come around. In this book, he stayed by her side when she needed him the most. But she shut him out. She held out her feelings, and kept things from him. Stella should have been completely open and honest with him, just like he deserved. George knew that she was keeping things from him and he still didn’t push her. He never pushed her. He truly loved her. He accepted everything and stood by her. He is truly amazing. And to be exploited by the media was heartbreaking. Because he loved her so much, he could never walk out on her. I absolutely loved this book. The only thing however that I did not like was the terrible cliffhanger at the end. It will definitely leave you with, “OMG! WTF would she do that! RL is horrible!” because those were my exact words when I ended. RL, great job. Hurry up and get to finishing Seamless!

  

I received an ARC for my honest review. 

This review was done by Jennelyn. 

Excerpt:

She heaved in the toilet for the third time in a row, but it was only bile now.  The noise echoed through the empty bathroom.  Hunching over the bowl, she tried not to grasp the sides with her hands.  Because she was more aware of her body and its reactions to stress, she hadn't eaten or had any coffee this morning, thinking maybe she wouldn’t get sick.  Pushing herself off of the cold tile floor and flushing the toilet, she spit the remaining bile from her mouth into the toilet.  Fighting the urge to wipe the excess saliva on the sleeve of her expensive suit jacket, she pulled a few squares of toilet paper off the roll and patted her mouth.  Pushing the door of the stall open, she examined the image she saw in the mirror. 

What she saw gave her pause and she stopped just shy of the sink to take in her appearance.  Her new outer shell was almost unrecognizable.  She’d recently cut her long black waves into a straight, chin-length bob, currently tousled.  Her weight loss over the past several months made her cheeks look sunken; she’d attempted to hide her sallow skin with makeup, but she still looked just a little bit haunted. The new grey suit she was wearing was wrinkled.  Irritated, she smoothed down the length of the pencil skirt to where it hit just above her knees.  Her soft pink shell underneath was chosen to make her look more fragile.  As if it’s possible to look any more fragile.  Some of her scars were visible above the collar of the shell; all perfecting the image Millie said she needed to show the world. 

Washing her hands quickly, she dried them and pulled out a comb.  Breathe.  She pulled the comb through her hair.   Her stomach rolled again and she dug in her pewter handbag for her medication.  She’d finally gotten around to going to the doctor, who diagnosed her with some sort of stress-induced disorder that causes her to throw up.  No shit, I diagnosed myself years ago.  Throwing the pill in her mouth, she swallowed it dry.  Reaching into another pocket, she pulled out lip gloss and reapplied the pink color to her lips, trying to feel the least bit “normal.” 

She popped a peppermint into her mouth and closed her eyes, counting to ten slowly before she pushed open the door and walked to the bench just outside the courtroom.  As soon as she sat down, the door opened and the U.S. Marshal assigned to the courtroom called her name.  Her heels clicked and echoed against the marble floor.  The courtroom was full, but she had tunnel vision.  She didn’t allow any of her terrified thoughts to enter her brain; she could break down later. In private.

            Making her way to the witness stand, she concentrated on not tripping in the six-inch black pumps she always wore.  They were her lucky heels for court and she needed them more today than any other day.  She took a deep breath, sat down on the stand and took her first glance at the defense table. Her entire body shook with fear at the sight of the man sitting in an ill-fitting suit next to his attorney; she knew the entire case rested on her testimony.  No pressure.  Shoving the fear down inside her, she folded her hands in her lap and stared at them. Calm.

"Stella Murphy.”

"Ma'am, please state your name for the record."  

About R.L. Griffin

R.L. resides in the Atlanta area with some cool dudes: her husband, son and two dogs.  She was born and By A Thread is R.L.’s second book, but is the first in a series of books.raised in the South.  She attended Georgia Southern University and moved to Washington, D.C. to intern in the United States Senate during the impeachment trial.  Falling in love with the city, she went to law school at American University, Washington College of Law. 

ONE CLICK
TENSION NOW

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PLAY ME (TAKE A CHANCE#3) RELEASE DAY by DIANE ALBERTS

SYNOPSIS:

Even the best-laid plans can go awry

Single-mom Kiersten Worth knows a bottle of champagne and night of hot, no-strings-attached sex is the perfect solution to her jilted bride blues…and Garrett Kelly, long-time friend and her teenaged son’s sexy basketball coach, is just the stud for the job.

Garrett wants more from the elusive temptress than a casual affair, but he never expects it to come in the form of an unexpected pregnancy. When he proposes an unorthodox solution—move in and raise their baby together—Kiersten has to decide whether to let down her guard and open her heart to the man who secretly loved her for years, or risk losing his tender embrace for good.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Diane Alberts has always been a dreamer with a vivid imagination, but it wasn't until 2011 that she put her pen where her brain was, and became a published author.  Since receiving her first contract offer, she has yet to stop writing. Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal clear water. She lives in Northeast Pennsylvania with her four kids, a husband, a schnauzer mutt, a cat, and a Senegal parrot. In the rare moments when she's not writing, she can usually be found hunched over one knitting project or another.

She is a multi-published, bestselling author with Entangled Publishing, Swoon Romance, and Decadent Publishing. ON ONE CONDITION hit #18 on the Barnes and Noble Bestseller List, and TRY ME hit #76 on Amazon. CAPTIVATED BY YOU hit #31 on the Barnes and Noble bestseller list.  Her goal is to write so many fantastic books that even a non-romance book fan will know her name. She also writes New Adult books under the name Jen McLaughlin. Diane is represented by Louise Fury from the L. Perkins Agency.

EXCERPT:

Kiersten glanced in the mirror and smoothed her hair back out of her eyes with a trembling hand. Tonight, she was going to do something completely out of character. Terrifyingly so. When she had been sitting in the bleachers earlier, reflecting on the fact that today was supposed to have been her wedding day, she’d compared her life now to what she’d expected it to be. And quite honestly…it sucked. Her ex-fiance Pete was probably married to his skanky secretary by now. Blissfully and happily getting ready to raise cheating little babies to match their cheating, lying parents.

While she hadn’t even gotten laid since the break-up.

Today was supposed to have been her special day—the day she said I do. As the time had ticked down on Chris’s game, it also had ticked down on her contentment to just…be alone. Then it came to her—she didn’t have to be alone tonight. She could give a final eff-you-Pete and sleep with the one man Pete had always been threatened by.

Garrett.

Pete would never know, but she would.

And it would feel good.

Now all she needed to do was tell Garrett.

She hoped she hadn’t misread the interest in his eyes. And hope he wouldn’t turn her down. She was choosing him as her target because of three reasons. One? Proximity. He was coming to her place tonight anyway. Two? He used to have a crush on her back in high school and probably still wondered what it would be like between them, so less likely to reject her. And three? That whole secret eff-you factor he would give her.

Maybe it was childish but so what? Pete had decided he loved to bang his secretary more than he loved Kiersten, so why shouldn’t she celebrate tonight with a good bout of forbidden sex and a little too much wine?

And hopefully some sore legs tomorrow.

Yeah. That’s what so what she’d envisioned of this day when they had sent to save the date cards out.

Kiersten sent a quick goodnight text to Chris, who was sleeping over his cousin’s house, and hurriedly brushed her hair. At most, she only had thirty minutes before Garrett arrived—and the furriness of her legs appalled her more than words could say. After a fast shower and an even quicker make-up session, she stood in front of her closet gripped with indecision on what to wear.

Could she really go through with this impetuous plan? Seduce one of her only friends?

When Pete had destroyed the tiny bit of faith she’d had in humanity, she had fallen to pieces. All of her life, she had avoided relationships so Chris wouldn’t have a father figure enter his life and just as quickly leave. But then the one freaking time she trusted a man and let him in, he’d cheated on her with his secretary and they’d called the whole thing off.

She had been broken hearted but Chris had been even worse off.

She would never do it again. Wouldn’t bring an unstable man into his life like she had before. She’d been right to avoid love. All the love she needed she got from her family.

But she wouldn’t think about that asshat Pete. She would drink with Garrett. Get a little stupid. Let loose. And have some casual, no strings attached sex. If she could do that with anyone in her life, it would be Garrett. He’d always been by her side, rooting her on.

Looking at her with those hot, blazing blue eyes that seemed to undress her without a simple touch. Her stomach tightened just thinking about him and that look. And given his years-long single status, he didn’t seem to want a relationship any more than she did.

But what if he wanted more than she could give him? A series of pictures ran through her head of how he would fall in love with her and ask for her to marry him. Have kids with him.

She shuddered at the mere thought.

Nah. He wouldn’t want that. He’d never even acted on his crush in high school, so how serious could it have been?  Not once in all of their time together had he even given her a slight hint he wanted those things. Hot glances? Yes. Happily Ever After? No.

He was like her. Independent. Unattached, and content to stay that way.

Marriage obviously wasn’t for the Worth children. The only one of them that hadn’t been messed up from their parents screwed up marriage was her older sister, Brianna. She was married with three kids. Her previous husband had died, but Brianna had met another man she’d fallen head over heels in love with. Thomas Jones. Now they were married and happily living their normal lives in their normal house in their normal world.

Then there was her and her brother Mike.

Mike didn’t spend more than a night with the same woman—if not an hour—and Kiersten refused to even try relationships ever again. She was broken. Unfixable. She didn’t want to get married, or even fall in love a second time. Didn’t want any kids besides Chris. She was fine alone.

But she needed to get laid. Needed to prove to herself that she wasn’t a complete failure that couldn’t attract a man—nonetheless keep him. And Garrett seemed like a sure bet, given the way he looked at her when he thought she wasn’t watching. Like she was a woman, and he was a man. And he wanted her.

Or at least…she thought he did.

After pairing a scoop neck sweater with a black skirt and applying a quick spritz of perfume, she made it downstairs just in time to feel her phone vibrate in her hand. He was here. When she opened the door, he stood there smiling at her, a bottle of Asti in his hand. The porch light illuminated his perfection; as if God was reminding her just how exquisitely he had made this particular male specimen.

 “Hello,” she said, motioning him inside.

“Hey,” he murmured. His blue eyes swept over her body, leaving heat everywhere they touched. She normally wore sweats and a T-shirt when he came over to hang out, so he was probably wondering at the short skirt she wore. “Wow. You look pretty tonight.”

Her cheeks heated up. “Thanks.”

He came inside and she busied herself closing the door and locking it. The chill of the metal cooled her hunger for him—to some degree. “Is Chris gone?” he asked.

“Of c-course,” she stammered. “He’s at Brianna’s for the night.”

Garrett strode into the living room and set the bottle down before unzipping his coat. His black shirt clung to his finely tuned body, and her fingers twitched. Everything from his black hair, to his six-pack, down to his damn boots screamed out for her attention. And those blue eyes were mesmerizing. She could get lost in them for hours.

“That’s good.” Running a hand over his shirt to smooth it out, he cocked his head. “So we’ve got the whole place to ourselves, huh? No whispering required.”

She headed for the glasses. Images of her screaming out his name flashed over her, making her hot. She looked at him over her shoulder, hoping the smile she gave him would pass as seductive. “We can be as loud as we want. No one will hear me scream.”

He faltered in his steps, his eyes wide. Yep. She’d gotten her point across.

She pulled the corkscrew from the drawer but he slid up behind her and snatched it out of her hands. He always liked doing the muscle work for her, as if she couldn’t possibly do it alone. It used to bug her. Now, it didn’t. Weird.

She watched his muscles flex as he twisted the corkscrew, and swallowed hard. What was wrong with her? She needed to stop ogling him like she was thinking about stripping him naked here in the kitchen. Because she totally wasn’t. At all.

She totally planned on bringing him upstairs before stripping him.

“Are you doing okay?” He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, his brow furrowed. He was probably wondering what the hell was wrong with her. “I know tonight’s gotta be rough for you.”

She swallowed. “I’m okay.”

“I know you are.” He squeezed her hand, then dropped it. She clenched her fist. “But I’m here if you want to vent or cry or whatever. Whatever you need.”

And she knew that, too. He was always there for her. But he said that without knowing what she needed tonight. “I know,” she said softly, her voice barely audible. “You’re a great friend.”

“I’d hope so. Sometimes I wonder, with how much you try to hide our friendship.” When he reached around her to set the opened bottle down on the granite counter, his breath fanned her cheek. He smelled like cologne and woodsy shampoo. “I don’t get the secrecy. I had to lie to Mike again so he wouldn’t ask questions about us.”

“It’s just better this way.”

“If you say so,” he drawled.

He leaned back against the counter and crossed his arms. He was looking at her again. Really looking. And even worse, something inside of her responded in a way she didn’t fully understand or welcome. It was as if something gave way, or shifted for him. She stared back at him, refusing to shrink away. Refusing to back down. He held her gaze, both of them silently challenging the other to be the first to look away.

If Mike knew what she was planning to do with Garrett tonight, he’d slap her upside the head for messing with his best friend. Brianna, on the other hand, would cheer her on. She always believed that love and happiness conquered all, despite the fact that she’d lost her first husband to cancer at way too young of an age.

And despite the fact that God had also taken their sister in a car accident only months after she’d had her son.

Ah. To be so blissfully optimistic.

After what felt like a year, she finally gave up and lost the staring contest. The longer she looked into those baby blues, the more nervous she got. Sucking in a shaky breath, she busied herself with filling the glasses up. “Thirsty?”

“Sure.” He eyed her but didn’t comment on her odd behavior. “Did you finish editing that book you were working on Monday night?”

“Yep. It’s been all prettied up and sent back to the author.” She worked from home as an editor and loved her job.

“Good.” Picking up the glasses, he handed her one and held his out for a toast. “Let’s toast to celebrate the win today. Chris did an excellent job and I have a feeling he’s only going to get better. You have quite the amazing nephew.”

“I’m not going to argue that,” she answered. She watched him over the rim of her glass, tension humming through her veins. His eyes latched onto hers, heating up under her stare. She looked away and tucked her side swept bangs behind her ear. “He wants to get a scholarship to Harvard, so let’s hope he keeps improving.”

“He can do it.”

Kiersten smiled at his utter conviction. Once again, something inside of her moved a little bit. She didn’t like it. “I know, but thank you.”

He lifted his glass again. “And we’re also toasting to your freedom from an asshole who didn’t know what he had when he had it,” he said, his eyes hard. “If he hadn’t shown his true colors, you would be marrying that jerk right now. You deserve so much better.”

She bit down hard on her tongue. He was right, but it didn’t stop the pain and humiliation Pete had put her through. “I don’t want to talk about him. I want to…to forget. To not think about what would have been, or why I was stupid enough to believe in him in the first place.”

Because if she started thinking about what Pete had done to Chris and her…she would break.

“Fair enough.” He stepped closer, his toes touching hers. He smoothed her hair that she’d sloppily tucked behind her ear, watching her as he did so. “Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?”

“Yes, you did.” She shivered, swaying closer despite the warning bells going off in her head. And he didn’t move away from her. If anything, he moved closer. Thank God. “But you shouldn’t say that.”

He cupped her cheek and ran his thumb over her chin, perilously close to her mouth. “Why not?”

Yeah, why not?

And that brought them to her agenda for the evening—sex. Time to start her arguments. State her case. They were both consenting adults. Easy. Straightforward. Commitment free.

“I like it when you do.” She chugged the rest of her drink. “But right now, we’re just friends. Friends don’t call each other pretty.”

He quirked a brow at her and took the glass away from her. She waited for him to question the right now part of her sentence, but instead he said, “You can call me pretty if you want. I don’t mind.”

She rolled her eyes. “Okay, pretty boy. Get me another drink, or I’ll have to slap you around a bit.”

He chuckled. “I might like that.”

She licked her lips. “I bet you would.”

He hissed in a breath through his teeth. “You’re feisty tonight, aren’t you?”

“You have no idea.”

He shot her a heated look, finished his own cup, and refilled them both with trembling hands. He seemed to steady himself by the time he turned back around to face her. The fire was gone from his eyes and he looked completely harmless. But she knew better.

“Here you go. You might want to slow down, though. You’ll be drunk if you don’t.” His lips tilted up into a small smile. “But if that’s what you want, then keep drinking. I won’t complain. I’ll even tuck you in when you pass out on the couch.”

“Hm.” She tipped back the glass. “Or you could join me?”

He stilled, the glass pressed to his lips. “What?”

“I’m kidding, of course.”

Was it just her, or did disappointment cross his features? “Of course you are. I knew that.”

“But then again…” She rolled a small sip around her tongue, watching him the whole time. After she swallowed, she slowly licked her lips. He watched her every movement, his muscles tight. “Maybe I feel like being a little bit stupid tonight. Want to join me?”

“Depends.” His hand tightened on the wine glass. “What do you want to do?”

“I want…” She clung to her glass, trying to get the nerve to say what she wanted out loud. What if she’d read him wrong? What if he wasn’t interested in her at all? God, she was pathetic. She didn’t used to be so uncertain of herself. She could thank her asshat of an ex for that, too. She took another gulp of wine, wishing it would take effect quicker. “Never mind that. Are you seeing anyone right now?”

He shook his head. “No. Why?”

“No reason.” She toyed with a piece of her hair and took another sip. “Can I ask you something?”

He looked less than sure. “What?”

“Did you ever have a crush on me?” She moved closer to him, and his lids dropped to cover his eyes, but not before she saw the desire in them. Desire for her. The knowledge gave her the confidence she needed to continue on. “Ever want to see what it would be like between us?”

He inhaled deeply. “You’re drunk already, aren’t you?”

“No.” She set her glass down and grabbed a hold of his shirt, tugging him closer. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears, drowning out anything else he said. “I’m not. I just want to let loose tonight. Have fun. With you.”

“Kiersten…” Her name seemed to be ripped out of somewhere deep within him. His Adam’s apple bobbed, and his hands fell to her hips. “What are you up to?”

“You’ll see.” She smoothed the shirt over his shoulders, then ran her hands down his hard biceps. “Now answer me.”

He stiffened. “What are you doing?”

“Touching you.” She looked up at him through her lashes. “Why? You want me to stop?”

“Yes. No.” His eyes darkened, and his knuckles whitened on the glass stem. “Shit. You better think twice about what you’re doing. Once you start this, I’m not backing down.”

She bit down on her lower lip. “Who says I want you to stop? Now answer me.”

“Kiersten…” He stepped back from her, his entire body hard and unyielding. “Are you sure you’re not drunk?”

Please. She wished she was, it would make this easier. She should have waited longer. Gotten some more drinks in them both. But it was too late to back down now that she’d gotten the ball rolling. She took his glass out of his hand, setting it beside hers. “No. I just want you.”

His hands fell to her hips. She couldn’t tell if he wanted to push her away or pull her closer. Maybe a little of both? If he rejected her, she would never be able to show her face in front of him again. “Are you sure?”

“Very.” She wrapped her arms around his neck, tugging him closer still. “Did you ever have a crush on me, or wonder what it might be like to spend a night together? To kiss me? Touch me?”

He groaned, and his fingers tightened their grip on her. “Yes. God, yes.”

“Good. Because I did, too. I still want to know what it would be like. Tonight.” She lifted her chin and looked into his eyes. “Kiss me.”

His gaze fell to her mouth. She was so close to victory she could taste it. “Why now?”

She played with the curls at the nape of his neck. “Why not?”

His jaw flexed. “I need a better answer than that.”

“I need to have fun tonight. Forget why I’m upset. Forget it all.”

“And what about Chris?”

“He’ll never know, will he? He’s not here.” She fought the desperation clawing its way up her throat. If he rejected her, she would die. Just. Die. “Please, I need you tonight, Garrett. So bad.”

“I never could say no to you.” He let out a tortured groan and lowered his head. He stopped just short of her lips. “But this will change everything I’ll need—”

“Just stop talking and do it already.”

She rose on tiptoe, closing the distance between them. When their lips touched, electric sparks had to have shot off of them. Once their lips met, she forget every other supposedly amazing kiss she’d ever had with any other man in her life. All that existed was Garrett. Like there hadn’t been anyone else in her life but him. Always him.

It terrified her.

She started to pull back, to change her mind, but then his tongue slipped into her mouth and he tipped her backwards over his arm. She clung to him, completely wrapped up in the way he held her. The way his lips moved over hers, tasting of Asti and pure Garrett. Digging her fingernails into his shoulders, she ripped her mouth away from his with considerable effort.

“Upstairs. Now.” She wasn’t risking him changing his mind.

He swept her into his arms and flung her over his shoulder. He smacked her ass hard enough to sting, but not so hard it actually hurt. “Right away, ma’am.”

He took the stairs two at a time and reached her bedroom door within seconds.

Thank God.

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GIVEAWAY:

Diane is offering up a $10 Gift Card to Amazon or B&N for one lucky reader. 

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TRYING NOT TO LOVE YOU by MEGAN SMITH GIVEAWAY

TRYING NOT TO LOVE YOU (THE LOVE SERIES #1)
SYNOPSIS:

MacKenzie Cahill has dealt with overbearing and overprotective brothers her entire life, making it near impossible to enjoy her teenage years. Having a boyfriend was practically impossible until she met a guy that wasn't afraid to stand up to them - Dominic. He was sweet, thoughtful, and everything MacKenzie ever wanted in a man.

But when they go away to college at Old Dominion University, MacKenzie sees a whole new side of Dominic and begins to wonder if he really is different from every other guy.

Her world is turned upside down after a party, and her brothers' best friend Hunter is the one there to offer her a shoulder to cry on. The chemistry between them is electric, and feelings for each other that have been hidden for years are finally voiced.

Is Hunter willing to be disloyal to his best friends in order to be with the one girl he's always secretly wanted?

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TRYING NOT TO LOVE YOU

 BY MEGAN SMITH

EASY TO LOVE YOU (THE LOVE SERIES #2)

Available August 2nd

SYNOPSIS:

Hunter finally has MacKenzie Cahill, the girl of his dreams. A horrible accident finds those dreams threatened. As their lives change, secrets begin to surface. These revelations could prove to be either the downfall of Hunter and MacKenzie or the catalyst that strengthens their bond.

Hunter has painful choices to make. Will he realize what he has before it’s gone? He knows what he must do to save his future, but will he be leaving everyone else in his past?

Will the bond between the two families be strong enough to keep them together?

::GIVEAWAY:: 

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WE HIT 4000 LIKES ON FB AND WE ARE HAVING A SWAG GIVEAWAY!!!

We just hit 4,000 likes on Facebook!! We couldn't have done it without all of your support. As a BIG "THANK YOU" we are having a Giveaway!! Enter with the rafflecopter below. There will be 4 winners total. 2 winners will receive signed Wanted swag and 2 winners will receive signed Saved swag. Kelly also has her eBooks on sale still on sale for 99 cents...links are included below...get one clicking!!

SYNOPSIS:

Verbally abused by her mother for years, 18 year old Ellie Johnson always believed she would never be loved or wanted by anyone. She focused all of her attention on her grades and getting into the University of Texas to start a new life away from her mother.

The last thing Ellie expected was to fall in love with Gunner Mathews, a starting linebacker for the University of Texas football team and not to mention, her brothers best friend.

Gunner only had two passions in life, football and his grandfather’s ranch, until he falls for his best friend's little sister. He will stop at nothing to show Ellie how much he wants her, even if it means he has to move faster than she would like.

Gunner knows they are meant to be together forever, but Ellie keeps denying her feelings out of fear of being hurt again. Every time he gets close to winning her love, something pushes her away again. Will Ellie ever be able to let go of the past and let him into her heart and will Gunner be patient enough to wait for her?

What will it take for them to realize they are all each other have ever WANTED?






Teaser:
 
"Gunner, I'm just so scared…. I'm so scared of the feelings I have for you.  They are so strong and I'm afraid if I give you my heart it will shatter in a million pieces if you break it, and I'll be left like my mother.  I can't let that happen… I won't let that happen.  But…..…. I can't live my life without you in it either. I'm so confused."

I heard Gunner take a sharp intake of air.  He slowly let out his air and I thought I heard him….crying… no now I was just hearing things. He started to talk but had to clear his voice.

"Ellie, I have never in my life... ever sweetheart...experienced these feelings that I have for you. You walk into a room and I have to catch my breath at the sight of you. You flash your beautiful smile at me and there's not a damn thing in this world I wouldn't do for you. Your laugh moves through my body like a jolt of electricity. Your eyes captivate mine; your lips bring me to my knees. I want to know every part of you Ellie. I'm just as confused by these feelings as you are Sweetheart, but I want you to know something, I'll never push you or give up on us, I promise you that. Please Ellie, please just let me in. Let me prove to you how much I want to be with you." ~ Gunner




SYNOPSIS:

Arianna and Jefferson’s love is true but will it be enough?

Ari who comes from a loving home with a family who has had more than their share of difficulties, is faced with possibly losing the love of her life. All she dreams of is growing old and having children with Jeff, but a family history and a conniving Rebecca could shatter that dream. Trying to support Jeff and cope with all the truths and possibilities of her own destiny may prove to be more than one person can handle.

Jeff’s dream is to raise horses on his ranch in Mason with the only women who has ever filled his heart and soul. But he’s running the risk of losing her by trying to be the man he knows he should be by taking on his responsibilities. He’s completely bewitched by the passionate and always outspoken Ari, but needs to do right for the child that could possibly be his.

Despite all the odds stacked against them can their relationship be…..SAVED?

Teaser:

"I don't think you can get to where you're truly meant to go until you travel that one road...the one that's filled with sharp turns, steep hills, and nothing but pot-holes that you have to try and get around.  After you make it off that road, you find the one that is straight,t smooth, and filled with nothing but happiness."

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 EARN EXTRA POINTS AND NAME YOUR FAVORITE SCENE IN WANTED AND/OR SAVED IN THE COMMENTS BELOW

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COVER REVEAL - Weak at the Knees By Jo Kessel

Release Date: September 20th

SYNOPSIS:

“We got so busy living life that we forgot to live our dreams.”

Danni Lewis has been playing it safe for twenty-six years, but her sheltered existence is making her feel old ahead of time. When a sudden death plunges her into a spiral of grief, she throws caution to the wind and runs away to France in search of a new beginning.

The moment ski instructor Olivier du Pape enters her shattered world she falls hard, in more ways than one.

Their mutual desire is as powerful and seductive as the mountains around them. His dark gypsy looks and piercing blue eyes are irresistible.

Only she must resist, because he has a wife – and she’d made a pact to never get involved with a married man.

But how do you choose between keeping your word and being true to your soul?

Weak at the Knees is Jo’s debut novel in the new adult, contemporary romance genre – a story about love, loss and relationships, set between London and the heart of the French Alps.

 



MEET THE AUTHOR:

When Jo was ten years old she wrote a short story about losing a loved one. Her mother and big sister were so moved by the tale that it made them cry. Having reduced them to tears she vowed that the next time she wrote a story it would make them smile instead. Happily she succeeded and with this success grew an addiction for wanting to reach out and touch people with words. Jo lives in London with her husband and three children where she works as a TV and print journalist. She loves traveling and since becoming a mother anything even remotely sad makes her cry. She’s a sucker for a good romance and tearjerker movies are the worst. She’s that woman in the cinema, struggling to muffle audible wails as everyone else turns round to stare.

P.S Jo’s pretty certain one of her daughters has inherited this gene.       

 

 

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website: http://www.jokessel.com/

Twitter: @jo_kessel

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kesseljo

Goodreads shelf: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18195781-weak-at-the-knees