Title: Break Me, Always Me & Rembember Me

Author: JM Walker

Series: Shattered

Published by: Beau Coup Publishing, LLC

Date published: Sept. 22, 2914

Genres: Contemporary

Book Length: 238 pages

Steam Rating: Steamy/Risque

Main Characters: Sebastian & Tori

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“I so wanted Sebastion to be a good guy! hahaha It killed me to learn who he really was…”~Becca

Break Me:

Running is always easier.

Tori McLeod moved to the big city to get away from her mother—and her past. Her new routine is destroyed when she meets a mysterious stranger who won’t take no for an answer. Sebastian intrigues her, but his eyes hold secrets she would rather avoid.

Sebastian Chelios, a hard-as-nails enforcer, is a new-in-town loner. He has to have her. Control her. Possess her. But he can’t—won’t—lose control, even though Tori’s innocence fascinates him. The last thing he’s going to do is love her, even after he gets her in his bed.

Losing control is dangerous, especially when someone from Sebastian’s past covets Tori, putting more than just her heart in danger.

Can Sebastian protect Tori from Jose’s sadistic obsession? If he gets his hands on her, will she make it out in one piece?

Always Me:

Forgetting is hard to do.

Tori McLeod survived the sadistic wrath of a madman at the cost of the love of her life. Always a survivor, she’s determined to move on, for her sake and the sake of her son, even if she has to leave everything and everyone behind.

Two years have passed since she lost Sebastian Chelios. He is gone, but Tori can still feel the raw magnetism pulling her toward a ghost. Relationships change and new bonds form. Budding feelings tempt Tori, but she continues to ache for Sebastian.

Whispers of danger lurk around the corner and questions regarding Jose remain unanswered. Can Tori move on with her life when a dark shadow from her past revisits her? With Jose still being out there, will Tori and her son ever be truly safe?

Remember Me:

Remembering is just the beginning.

Keisha Lee had her life ripped apart at the hands of Jose Alvarez. Not having anywhere to turn, she seeks solace from the one man who could give her everything she needed. Only problem is, she doesn’t remember him.

Garrith Jameson, FBI agent on a leave of absence, has been in love with Keisha his whole life, and she’s always gotten under his skin. They were happy. Complete. Until that horrible day destroyed them, tearing them apart.

Having amnesia is one thing but remembering the mistakes that had been made could separate Garrith and Keisha forever.

A world of trust, healing and new memories arise, making Keisha need more than just the man she knew she once loved.

Will Keisha remember Garrith and give in to the submission her body craves?

While the book took me a bit to get into, once I did I was totally hooked on the characters and just had to know more. I think my main issue was that it was only from Tori’s POV and not a dual POV. I am so used to getting both sides of a story that it was hard to adjust to. I know that a few other reviewers mentioned that the story line was confusing and hard to follow…while I agree to an extent, I also have to disagree. Yep, the whole deal between Sebastion, Jose and Brett is hard to keep up with, but it was still interesting and kept me on my toes.

The relationship between Sebastian and Tori moves extremely fast, but that is brought up in the book and even they admit that it’s crazy. I so wanted Sebastian to be a good guy! hahaha It killed me to learn who he really was…but book two sort of redeemed him a bit so that helps

Overall I feel that this is a really good read and would definitely recommend giving it a try!

Book 2, Always Me, was definitely one that kept me wanting more. I’m pretty sure that I read it in one sitting! I really loved getting even more of Tori and Sebastian’s story and the emotions that these two books brought out in me were epic and unbelievable. I was definitely ugly crying my way through this Trilogy!

There isn’t a whole lot I can say about Always Me other than that it continues the story picking up 2 years later with Jose still out there. There are quite a few twists and turns and surprises along the way. This is one book that left me with my jaw on the ground and gasping around every page.

While book 1, Break Me, may not have been my favorite ever, Always Me definitely finished the job of hooking me and making sure I would be reading more J.M. Walker books in the near future!

Book 3, Remember Me, is by far my favorite so far. I adored getting the feel of a dual POV and learning more about Garrith and Keisha. I was amazed by some of the things that popped up in this book! Just wow, didn’t realize those two had it in them! hehe

Trust me when I say that while my review may be short due to me trying to avoid spoilers (this is one trilogy that has so many plot twists that it’s hard not to give anything away), this is a trilogy that you will regret not reading! So head on over to Amazon and give it a go! 

BTW WHILE PREPARING EVERYTHING FOR THIS REVIEW I FOUND OUT THAT BRETT HAS HIS OWN SERIES CALLED TORN!! OMG YEEEEAAAAHHHH!! I’LL BE BUYING THAT SOON HAHAHA

Do you prefer a dual POV or single?

Title: Frozen Dreams 

Author: Cori Williams

Published: February 26th 

Genre: Adult Contemporary 

Steam Rating: Steamy

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My life was perfect. I had everything I wanted, including the love of a man that intended to make all of my dreams come true.
Until…
“…the night my life as I knew it ended.”

In the blink of an eye, all I’d once known was ripped away. Suffering in limbo, full of fear and regret, I had only memories and dreams to comfort me, urging me to fight.

“…marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled…”

But they stole it all.

Awakened to betrayal and pain, I struggle to find a new beginning. Yet the past seeps in, pulling me under. No matter how hard I try to keep my head above water, it threatens to ruin me.

How can I really live with my hopes for the future still frozen? And if the ice thaws, will I have the courage to build new dreams? 

This is the first book by Cori I have read… I sit here asking myself… “What the hell took me so long?!” Seriously! The storyline captures your interest immediately. It’s unlike any other book I have read. Without giving away spoilers (I hate them!) I am going to try and express my “Feels”. 

I was completely riveted by Emmy. The strength it took her to move on from her past and try to embrace a new future was awe inspiring. I was taken on a roller coaster of emotions with this book! 

What better way to move towards a new future than with a slice of yum? 

Enter Gannon. 

Hot damn… He is assholish, smart mouthed, and stubborn as shit. Once the door is opened though… He is extremely sincere, kind, supportive and loyal. And it’s all wrapped in a sexy package of delicious! 

I implore you to give this book a shot. Seriously…. The suspenseful twists and ups & downs you will experience are phenomenal! 

I’m a stay at home mom to three crazy kiddos all under the age of five. I’m married to my high school sweetheart and I like to think we’re living our own happily ever after. My contemporary romance’s are all about the happy endings but of course there’s lots of twists, turns, and a whole lot of drama added in. That’s the fun part, right?

**Warning**These are NOT your mama’s romance novels.

Stalk Cori:
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Release date: January 30th 2015

Cover designer: K23 Photography and Design

Noah Cole has it all.

The high profile job, money and a beautiful fiancé.

There’s only one problem. He doesn’t want any of it. When he imagined life he didn’t see this, he saw happiness in the arms of the only girl who ever held his heart. She wasn’t the one who got away, she was the one he chased away.

His best friend. His soul mate.

Madison Leigh remembers the day she met Noah. He walked into her life full of charm and sexiness, and he crushed her without even trying. Walking away was one of the hardest things that she’s ever had to do, especially since all she wants now is him.

Now years later they are friends, sticking by each other through thick and thin. But when one of their worlds come crashing down, changing everything they thought they knew, will there still be a place for them in each others life? Or will it become too hard to hold on to each other?

Will life get better for them, or will it be like leaping from the frying pan…

Into The Fire.

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Uk link: http://amzn.to/1uI2yQD
Us link: http://amzn.to/1zFV9Zy

I’m a contemporary romance author , and I am just about to complete my first series of books called The Into The Series.

I live in Scotland with my husband and three amazing children. I live in a very small village in the country so writing makes it easier to have friends, even if they are in my head.

I have always been a huge reader but it wasn’t until 2013 that I was…lets say encouraged…to write my first book. I published on my birthday in 2014 and have been on a crazy roller coaster ever since.

My favorite things to read about are tattooed alphas…and if they have a dirty mouth its all the better!

I have met so many awesome people on this journey and I never imaged talking to some of my favourite authors, never mind calling some of them my friend.

If you ever go to a signing and there is a Scottish redhead fan-girling in the corner….well that’s probably me!

Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Amazon Author Page

Other books in the series:

 Into The Deep (Into The Series #1)

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20485166-into-the-deep

Amazon.co.uk: http://amzn.to/1DcUAUt

Amazon.com: http://amzn.to/1JVPIFg

Into The Dark (Into The series #2)

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20695785-into-the-dark

Amazon.co.uk: http://amzn.to/1y2X8AX

Amazon.com: http://amzn.to/15OvPU3

I walk past my dark bedroom and I realise my mistake when I’m grabbed from behind by a strong pair of arms. I can’t believe he was hiding, and I can’t believe I fell for it. A scream leaves my throat as Noah’s arms tighten around my waist and he lifts me off the floor.

“Got you now, little girl. Whatcha gonna do about it?” The words are spoken close to my ear, his breath fanning over my face. I’m torn between being scared of what’s about to happen and being more turned on that ever before, but my decision is made when I feel him moving towards … the bathroom I think? I try to pry his hands off me but I know it’s going to be useless.

“Noah, what are you doing? This is silly. Lets just call a truce and go tidy up the hall? You don’t want anything to be stolen. This is a bad neighbourhood.” I feel his body vibrate and his laughter reaches my ear before he speaks.

“Nice try, Angel. That’s all tidied up, your door is locked … it’s just you and me.” How the hell had he cleaned up so quickly? I must have been trying to calm down longer than I thought.

He turns our bodies around and I see we’re in the bathroom, and he’s moving me towards the bathtub. No, no, no. He wouldn’t? I struggle harder but he’s just too strong to fight against.

“Noah, don’t you dare. I swear if you do this I will make you suffer. It won’t be worth it. Noah, no!” He doesn’t stop moving, my pleas falling on deaf ears as he moves me under the showerhead and reaches his hand out for the cold tap.

“Noah, please. I’m sorry okay? I promise never to laugh at you, no matter what epically stupid thing you do.”

“Wrong answer.” He turns the tap and within seconds freezing cold is spraying over me, drenching through my clothes and making my breath catch in my chest.

Title: Love Overcomes

Author: Angela Schroeder

Published by: Anaiah Press

Date published: Nov. 4, 2014

Genres: Contemporary

Book Length: 205 pages

Steam Rating: Sweet

Main Characters: Arabella & Jeremy

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“Love Overcomes is a sweet romance that had me laughing and crying and begging for more. I seriously found myself wishing that this book was part of a series! ” ~Becca

Going to Hollywood was supposed to be something that would change Clara Mackenzie’s life forever.

Her younger sister, single mother Arabella, never imagined that going to California with her sister would have such a huge impact on her life. Now, she needs to try to overcome her past and try to trust again or be doomed to be single forever.

Arabella Mackenzie and her son Liam have never wanted or needed anyone other than their family. When Arabella meets Jeremy Fowlis she begins to have feelings for a man for the first time since before her son was born. Shy, Clara begins to fall for an actor of her own when she meets dashing Jake.

Jeremy is not use to women who do not want to date him because he is an in-demand actor let alone a woman who does not even recognize him. He finds he wants to know more about her but is not sure if he can handle the fact that she is a single mother and has a past that seems to be shrouded in mystery.

Can Arabella and Jeremy both overcome their doubts, fears and past in order to find love?

Love Overcomes is a sweet romance that had me laughing and crying and begging for more. I seriously found myself wishing that this book was part of a series! 

Arabella and Clara are sisters. When Clara gets the chance to work on the movie set for her book Arabella offers to go with her for support. Bringing her young son along for the fun adventure the sisters never expected to find themselves falling for two amazing men. I loved how beautifully written the story is. It has a focus on growth and healing while keeping in enough romance to keep things rolling and interesting.

I think my favorite thing about this book is that there is a clear focus on the romance and the lives of the characters. Yes, Christianity is a part of the book. However, while the characters show a great love for Christ and want to share that with the people they love, the story isn’t over taken by the religious aspect of things. There is mystery, there is romance, and there is danger all of which blends perfectly with the religious aspect of things. A lot of books that want to add a religious aspect to the story take things too far. They make it so that the focus is solely on God and not on the story itself. I felt that Love Overcomes honestly had a larger impact on me religiously because it didn’t shove it in my face. It flowed well and had just enough to add to the story instead of take away from it. 

The characters are very well developed and absolutely realistic and lovable. The story line is amazing, however, sometimes I felt like the narrative style of the writing kept pulling me away. I suppose I have just gotten used to reading stories that are written a little bit differently. The book switches between characters a bit and we get to learn not only about Arabella and Jeremy’s romance but Jake and Clara’s as well.

The romance side of the book was a little lack luster…but it is a sweet romance and not a steamy one. I felt that the dialogue was a bit forced and hard to tell who was talking (they didn’t have their own voice or style…) and the few romantic moments between characters were very minimal and not really mentioned much. I get that this is a Christian romance and there for I didn’t expect there to be sex…however, I did expect there to be a bit more romance. A few more kisses or heated scenes. 

I will say that there were one or two moments where I honestly stopped and said “What in the world? Why is he/she…”.

**SEMI SPOILER ALERT**For instance, Jeremy and Arabella ‘break things off’ for ten days….just ten days…and in those ten days he is spending time with another woman?? Umm…sorry but that doesn’t work for me! I know that he doesn’t ‘do’ anything with the other woman, or at least if he does it isn’t mentioned. However, it really bothered me that he even tried to move on that quickly.

Over all, I really enjoyed this book and do recommend that you read it. The story is fun and kept me wanting more. 

Angela was born and raised in Iowa, in a river town known for its pearl buttons. Having four siblings, she never lacked for someone to play with. As she grew older, she found herself pulled into books and writing more and more. Her parents are her heroes, her siblings her confidants and tormentors, and her children her wonderful blessings.

Do you like to read Christian romance novels?

Title: Sideswiped
Author: Lia Riley
Series: Off the Map

Rating: Steamy

Couple: Talia & Bran
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Publication: October 7th, 2014

Purchase

Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | B&N | iBooks | Kob

It was only meant to last the summer . . .

 

Talia Stolfi has seen more than her share of loss in her twenty-one years. But then fate brought her Bran Lockhart, and her dark world was suddenly and spectacularly illuminated. So if being with Bran means leaving her colorless NorCal life for rugged and wild Australia, then that’s what she’ll do. But as much as Talia longs to give herself over completely to a new beginning, the fears of her past are still lurking in the shadows.

 

Bran Lockhart knows that living without the beautiful girl who stole his heart will be torment, so he’ll take whatever time with her he can. But even though she has packed up her life in California and is back in his arms for the time being, she can’t stay forever. And the remaining time they have together is ticking by way too fast. Though fate seems determined to tear them apart, they won’t give up without a fight—because while time may have limits, their love is infinite . . .

Coming Soon…

Lia Riley writes offbeat New Adult Romance. After studying at the University of Montana-Missoula, she scoured the world armed only with a backpack, overconfidence and a terrible sense of direction. She counts shooting vodka with a Ukranian mechanic in Antarctica, sipping yerba mate with gauchos in Chile and swilling XXXX with stationhands in Outback Australia among her accomplishments. When not torturing heroes (because c’mon, who doesn’t love a good tortured hero?), Lia herds unruly chickens, camps, beach combs, daydreams about as-of-yet unwritten books, wades through a mile-high TBR pile and schemes yet another trip. She and her family live in Northern California.

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Title: Face Time

Author: SJ Pajonas 

Published by: S.J. Pajonas

Date published: April 22, 2014

Genres: Adult Contemporary

Book Length: 362 pg

Steam Rating: Steamy

Main Characters: Lee & Laura

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After the best first date ever, Lee thought Laura was funny, intelligent, and impulsive; a whirlwind of bright laughter and happiness…the only problem? She lives 7000 miles away.

After the best first date ever, Lee thought Laura was funny, intelligent, and impulsive; a whirlwind of bright laughter and happiness. Laura loved Lee’s sweet smile and the way he expertly filled in every awkward pause. He held her hand and then pulled her in for the most perfect kiss she’s had in years. What could possibly be wrong? Just the 7000 miles that separates them the next day.

Even though Lee has gone home to Seoul, Laura can’t stop thinking about him. What starts as an innocent text thanking him for their dinner date becomes something much more: someone either of them can’t live without. But Laura’s got a live-in mother going through a midlife crisis, and Lee’s stressful traveling schedule means they’ll be apart for some time. Life, family, and a complicated past also get in the way, and they’re both going to need actual face time to figure it out.

Told from both Lee and Laura’s point of view, FACE TIME is a funny, romantic, modern-day story about two people who connect across the world.

Lee’s eyes are bloodshot and tired, his rounded cheeks sunken in with fatigue, but it looks like he won’t leave unless someone comes along and peels him off the couch.

I hate to do it, but I lean forward and squeeze his knee. “Lee, you look so tired, and I know you have to be up early. We should call it a night.”

Disappointment falls over his face and he sighs, putting his hands on his knees and forcing himself to stand up. Once my coat is buttoned-up, he reaches out his hand and helps me up with a smile.

Outside, I direct him north on Broadway to Third Street where I can get a cab going west towards Chelsea and be home in ten minutes. I used to walk this area all the time when I went to NYU, and the corner of Third is as good a place as any to say goodbye. An NYU building towers over this corner, fenced in by greenery and a large tree arcs out overhead. In a few weeks, the branches will be filled with buds and trees will explode with leaves all over the city. I can’t wait for spring.

“You live on Fifteenth Street, right? I saw the address you sent me,” Lee says, his hand clutching mine. “Over by Chelsea Market?”

“Yeah. I go there all the time. The neighborhood has grown in the last few years especially. It doesn’t look anything like it did when I moved in.”

“Seoul is always changing. After the war, it just grew and grew and now there are new buildings up every year there.”

Our conversation dies as we near the corner, and I slow down to a stop. I… I really don’t know what to do. I know this can’t go anywhere.

“I can get a cab going crosstown from here,” I say, looking down at my shoes. “If you walk back over to Lafayette, you can get a cab going uptown.”

“Okay. Laura…” He turns to face me, so very close. He withdraws his warm hand from his pocket and softly strokes the length of my chin, pushing my eyes up to his. I guess I’m not the impulsive one tonight. “I’d like to see you again. Somehow. I don’t know when I’ll be back in New York, though.”

“I understand.” I clench my legs together because a fire is burning right in the middle of them, and I haven’t had sex in so long I don’t know what to do with the feeling. My vibrator doesn’t count. “Maybe we can keep in touch, if you’re up for it.” I smile at his eager face, only three inches from mine.

“I think I’m up for almost anything when it comes to you. In fact…” He steps in even closer, letting go of my hand and pulling me in by the small of my back. “I’m going to kiss you, and I’m not going to regret it for a second.”

Pulling my face to his, our lips meet hesitantly at first, warmth growing between us as a breeze curls around my legs and up my jacket. His lips brush against mine, feathery light and playful, soft and sweet, the test kiss when you put your toes in the water and see if the bath is hot enough. Then I lean in and bind my lips to his. This kiss goes all in, a deep inhale followed by the kind of release that makes my eyes roll back in my head. If I were paying closer attention, I’d notice the curry, the beer, and the coffee, but instead all I sense is the seed he’s planting in my soul, the one that takes root and convinces me I’m a worthy person again, worthy of love and affection, worthy of attention.

I set my hands free from their safe haven between us and wrap them around his waist, sighing and enjoying this regret-free kiss. It just pushes Lee even closer, both of his hands on my cheeks, guiding my mouth into his, and his relief is evident in the release of his muscles along his waist and back.

Earlier, I wanted to pause time in several instances — when he took my photo, when he held my hand, when he smiled at me over the top of the coffee bar — but, now, this is what I want to remember. This is the moment when he likes me for all the right reasons, and I want to capture that blissful ignorance and never live without it.

The moment unsticks, our lips pulling away at the same time, and he kisses me along my left cheek to my ear. I hug him close and rest my forehead on his shoulder.

“Thank you for tonight, Laura,” he whispers in my ear, and I nod into his sweater, letting myself feel happy for this instead of sad he won’t be here tomorrow. We dislodge our arms from each other and do our best to smile at one another before he takes my hand, leads me to the curb, hails a cab, and puts me in it.

“Don’t be a stranger, Lee,” I say, before raising my eyebrows at him and closing the door.

My last glimpse is the smile on his face, his hand raised in goodbye, as my cab speeds away down Third Street.

S.J. Pajonas

Stephanie (S. J.) is a writer, knitter, amateur astrologer, hooper, Capricorn, and Japanophile. Her debut novel, Removed, is the first book in the Nogiku Series. Released, Book 2 of the Nogiku Series, is also available and continues to story of Sanaa and Jiro from Earth to their colonization planet, Yūsei.  She also writes contemporary romance and the first book in the Love in the Digital Age series, Face Time, is available now.

Find S.J. Online

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Author: E.J. Wesley

Published by: E.J. Wesley

Date published: Aug. 29, 2014

Genres: NA Contemporary

Book Length: 244 pages

Steam Rating: Steamy

Main Characters: Ernie & Margery

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Ernest offers a smart, funny, sweet, sexy, uplifting, and oftentimes poignant perspective of one person’s difficult transition into adulthood.

A gripping story of striking out and winning big.

From a distance, Ernie’s life seems perfect—he’s a star college baseball player adored by the student body and coveted by professional teams. Up close, he is a disaster. Since the death of his mother, he’s been trapped by a promise he made and forced to live her dream instead of his own. He reaches his breaking point in the biggest game of his young career and sets off a chain of events that will either define or destroy the rest of his life. 

Ernie grudgingly joins a quirky campus counseling group that empowers him to heal himself and right his wrongs. By testing old friendships, forging unlikely new ones, and exploring an exciting romance, he begins to unravel the jumbled knot his tangled inner-psyche has become. But old rivals, mental illness, and the risk of a forbidden relationship soon threaten his progress. Will Ernie’s new direction and friends be his salvation, or confirmation that he is forever doomed by his imperfections?

Perfectly Ernest is a New Adult contemporary novel with romantic elements by author E.J. Wesley. Ernest offers a smart, funny, sweet, sexy, uplifting, and oftentimes poignant perspective of one person’s difficult transition into adulthood. It is a story about overcoming the demons of mental illness and struggling with the profound burden of expectations—both real and imagined. But it’s mostly a tale of friendship, hope, and love.

We shared another laugh and continued our stroll, but no longer touching. The memory of her warmth lingered pleasantly in my mind.

“What about your folks?” she asked.

I momentarily rethought my stance on telling her everything, and then decided she was likely too drunk to remember anyway.

“Mom died when I was seventeen. Dad went to prison when I was eight. Haven’t seen him since. Don’t want to.”

She whistled. “You win the sucky life grand prize alright. Grandparents? Aunts and uncles? Siblings?”

“Grandfolks are all gone. Only aunts and uncles are on Dad’s side, and they hate my guts. Only kid.”

“You, Mr. Demps, have to be one lonely young man.”

I didn’t want to let her know how much those words really scratched me, but there was an undeniable truth in them.

“I’m so sorry.”

I must’ve stiffened or gone quiet. “Not a big deal.”

“That wasn’t a nice thing to say and—”

I waved dismissively. “It’s okay, really. But please, call me Ernie. Mr. Demps makes me sound like one of my dead grandparents. Although, Ernie is definitely an old man name, so maybe it fits.”

“Deal.” She hooked her arm around mine. “My house is at the end of the street. How did you get a name like Ernie?”

“Dad was a big Cubs fan. Ernie Banks was his favorite player.”

“Both of us were named for famous baseball personalities. And both of our names belong in a 1950s phone book. We could’ve been separated at birth, Mr. Ernie,” she said.

“Now I sound like a banker or mob boss.” I laughed.

We’d reached a break in the trees, so I stopped to contemplate the sky. “Really, I like to think I was named after Hemingway.”

“Your English teacher approves.”

Margery tugged at my arm to get me moving, but I pulled her back. A line from a Walt Whitman poem sprang to mind, and I felt compelled to share it with her.

“Then my realities; What else is so real as mine?”

She stared at me, her eyes gleaming above a bemused smile. “You memorize a lot of poetry?”

I nodded. “Mom loved poetry. After she died, I had the hardest time focusing on the field. So I took to memorizing poems and reciting them in my head. Really helped me block out my thoughts.”

“Reminds you of her, too, I bet.”

“So my psychiatrist tells me.” I smiled. “They also usually mean something. Not sure about that one, though. I guess I haven’t felt very real lately. Tonight is the most grounded I’ve been in a long time.”

We walked up the sidewalk and paused at the steps leading to her front door. The house was small and homey, a perfect little cottage with flowerboxes below the windows and a porch swing.

Margery squeezed and let go of my arm. “Ever think you maybe just need a little help? That it’s time to quit trying to do things by yourself? You’re a pitcher. If things aren’t working, time for a change up.”

She tried to take the first step up to the porch, missed, and stumbled backward. I wrapped my arms around her to keep us from falling over. Her hair was silky against my chest. It smelled of jasmine and fruit. Margery’s gaze flashed upward, her mouth open in surprise.

“Yes, I had considered I might need a little help,” I whispered.

I dipped my head. She tilted hers. Her body went limp, allowing me to cradle hers against mine. Our lips touched lightly at first, and then collided like forces of nature. There was a hidden energy underneath, an excitement, like it was the first or last time we’d touch. She moaned—

“Ernie? That you?” a familiar voice said from behind us.

Margery pushed away from me. She took the three steps of the porch in a single leap. I hung my head.

“Yes.” My lips still tingled from the kiss and my heart thumped erratically.

Luther stood where the sidewalk and street met, dangling something shiny from his hand.

“Found your keys, man. Someone said they saw you head this direction. You okay?”

The door to Margery’s house banged shut behind me. I considered giving Luther the same terse answer I’d given her earlier in the evening. After all, I was still shirtless, I’d still made a fool of myself, Junk was probably still going to kick my ass, and who knew how far out of bounds I’d stepped with Margery. She might never speak to me again once she sobered up.

In spite of all the things that could go wrong, I smiled. “For once, yeah. I think I’m good.”

E.J. Wesley

Growing up in small-town Oklahoma, there were limits on the amount and types of entertainment at my disposal. Perhaps that’s why I set my imagination free. After collecting degrees in psychology and counseling, life brought me to Missouri, Texas, and Northern California–where I currently read, write, and live. I fill my spare time playing video games, watching movies, planning for the zombie apocalypse, reading graphic novels, and playing with my dogs.

My passion for New Adult literature led me to producing the weekly New Adult Lit Chat on Twitter and contributing to the NA Alley Blog. I’m also the author of the Moonsongs Books, a series of New Adult, urban fantasy novelettes.

Find me on Twitter @EJWesley or Facebook and we’ll chat!

Title: In the Desert

Author: Dierdre Riordan Hall

Series: Follow your Bliss

Published by: Dierdre Riordan Hall

Date published: June 8, 2014

Genres: Contemporary New Adult

Book Length: 307 pages

Main Characters: Brighton & Alex

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Twenty-year-old fiery film student, Brighton Holmes, knows exactly what she wants: an epic adventure on the open road in her late father’s 1969 Chevelle, alone. Her quest is to visit all fifty states and find a place to call home.

When a family friend asks for a favor, UK rocker in recovery, Alex Stihl, joins her on the road trip, stirring up trouble; the last thing she needs. It doesn’t help that he has a mob of fans and a crazy ex-girlfriend tailing his every move.

Brighton and Alex clash as they cruise out of New York, she grows resigned in the rolling hills of Amish country, and he crashes hard in a hotel on the edge of the Smoky Mountains. While Brighton seeks a place to wash her mind of the past, Alex dodges reminders of heartbreak.  

They both try to escape everything they have in common: heartache, loss, and confusion about what’s next. But the magic of New Orleans unites Brighton and Alex as they fight desperately for the other until the stars in the desert sky lead them to discover exactly what they’re resisting and missing.

When they reach the Oregon coast, Brighton uncovers her musical talent, bringing them closer together and helping her reconcile losing her father. But the trip comes to an end when they arrive in Los Angeles. Real life intervenes, splitting them apart; she moves into her new off-campus apartment and he has to return to his band.

After the semester begins, Brighton tries to shake her mind loose from Alex, but the memory of his sexy voice, rainy day eyes, and the miles they shared lingers like a song stuck in her head. Six months later, when his band returns to Los Angeles for a concert, the compass of her heart finally leads her home.

Alex pulled her into an alcove, protected from the rain. She pressed in against him, their faces inches apart.

“Why would you need a brolly, if you have me?” he said.

The way he said brolly made more laughter tickle her tongue, but the question, the offer, of having him, made it fade on her lips.

“Do I have you?” she asked. Her throat tightened at the possibility that the relief from loneliness she yearned for may or may not be found in him.

“Do you want me?”

His breath smelled like wine and mint and shelter.

Her pulse quickened. She’d never wanted anyone more in her life. She fought her way to his lips. They were out of the rain, but somehow her face was damp as another secret found its way to the surface.

“I have something for you,” Alex whispered.

His sexy voice was magnified against the backing track of the rain. He’d already given her so much. She had everything she wanted snugged tight into that hidden little alcove.

He dug his hand into his pocket, his hips pressing up against hers in the small space. He pulled out a guitar pick. “For you,” he said placing the vinyl chip in her hand.

On one side, it was printed with a series of numbers: 50.8429˚N, 0.1313.˚ She breathed in his crooked smile.

“Coordinates if you ever get lost again.”

She turned the guitar pick over in her hand. On the other side, it had the date in July when they’d met along with the word always.

“In case you ever forget.”

They kissed, never wanting to forget that moment before stealing back through the sopping streets, the glare of headlights and streetlamps guiding their steps in the inky night.

Dierdre Riordan Hall

Deirdre Riordan Hall is the author of upper young adult and new adult fiction. She spends her days with her family, writing (what else?!) at the custom-made desk her husband crafted, or seaside, pretending to be a mermaid. Click here for the long author biography.

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