Full Exposure by Sara Jane Stone…Review

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Synopsis:

No touching allowed . . .

After serving her country, Georgia Trulane craves adventure–and sex. She’s set her sights on her brother’s best friend–now her boss, since she took a temporary job as his nephew’s live-in nanny. Only problem? Eric refuses to touch her. That doesn’t stop Georgia from seducing him. But an earth-shattering encounter leaves her fully exposed, body and soul.

Eric has a long list of reasons to steer clear of the woman he has wanted for as long as he can remember. For one, he refuses to be her next thrill ride. When he claims her, it will be for good. But the attraction is undeniable, and the more they fight it, the stronger it pulls. But will it be enough to conquer their obstacles?

My review:

Full Exposure is the first book in author Sara Jane Stone’s Independence Falls Series and is the first of her work that I have read. Well, I’m hooked and am anxiously awaiting the next in this series. This book was fantastic!

Veteran Georgia is home now and is silently struggling with the experiences from her time overseas at war. She has found a few things that work to keep the nightmares at bay…sleeping as little as she can manage, jumping from one adrenaline rush to the next, and Eric. Eric, her brother’s long-time best friend, her as-long-as-she-can-remember crush, and currently her boss. Eric now had custody of his nephew and she was the new nanny, which gave her daily, up close and personal time with him and was driving her crush into whole new level. If surviving war had taught her one thing it was that life could end in an instant and that you should go after what you want in life. It’s that lesson that made up her mind to go after Eric. Now the question was, what would reaction be?

Logging company owner Eric has had a whole lot on his plate the past few months and the one person who had become a reliable constant was Georgia. He was so happy she was home safe and now under his roof, helping him with his nephew. Of course all of that was making his attraction to her hard to ignore. But he knew there were a million and one reasons why he needed to stay away from Georgia. For one, his best friend and her brother, would kill him. Unfortunately, he has to push all of that aside when a fire starts on his mountain and threatens not only an entire town, but the future of his logging business.

The odds seem to sway back and forth between favorable and unfavorable for Eric and Georgia. Just when we think they will be able to face their mutual attraction something gets thrown in the way. The push and pull between them starts off immediately and oh my, the heat building was fantastic to read.

Georgia’s demons are numerous and trying to deal with her PTSD alone is a perilous situation. She is one hell of an admirable character to read and I really felt for her. It was actually a bit of fresh air to read a female veteran and her struggle was touching. She is strong and capable and grabs on to life with both hands, prepared for the ride. Of course, that could also be a bad thing and she ends up worrying the people who matter most to her with her, sometimes, overzealous lust for life.

Eric is also a terrific character. He’s got broad shoulders and carries a whole lot on them. He’s loyal and caring and puts the happiness and well-being of others ahead of himself more often than not. He’s strong and sexy with a heat of gold. But he’s still a man and you know how men can be sometimes. Yep, he messes up a few times along the way but because he’s got that huge heart, he always more than makes up for it!

Together these two make one hell of a couple and I loved reading their journey from friends to lovers.

The added suspense with the mountain fire and trying to find what started it, and at some points wondering if it could have been Eric’s best employee, who also happened to be Georgia’s brother and his best friend, added an extra element to this story that I really enjoyed.  It was well done and kept the reader guessing until almost the very end.  I love that in a story!

Thank you, Sara Jane, for an amazing story. I cannot wait for the next installment!

4LovesRLBFour Loves

 

Book links:

amazon  |  B&N

About the author:

After several years on the other side of the publishing industry, Sara Jane Stone bid goodbye to her sales career to pursue her dream–writing romance novels. Sara Jane currently resides in Brooklyn, New York with her very supportive real-life hero, two lively young children and a lazy Burmese cat. Visit her online at www.sarajanestone.com or find her on Facebook and Twitter.

My Control by Lisa Renee Jones…Blog Tour Stop & Review

My Control RDL Banner

Today we have a new novella in the Inside Out series by Lisa Renee Jones, My Control. I’m so excited to share this book with y’all!

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My Control Synopsis:

Mark’s POV novella

I have lost the man I once was, letting guilt and heartache define who I am. Darkness has controlled me, and one woman has seen what no one else has seen in me, what I do not wish to exist. My hunger for her has driven me to the edge of sanity, but no more. She’s about to find out that the Master has returned.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble |My Control Goodreads

My review:

My Control is story number 4.1 in author Lisa Renee Jones’ Inside Out Series, is from Mark’s point of view and is leading us up to the final novel in the series, coming in November.

Mark Compton is slowly losing the only thing he has been able to relay on…his control. His control on everything from his role in the bedroom, his role as a Dom, to how he handled business. His control was his comfort. The investigation into the disappearance, and possible murder, of his submissive, Rebecca, has him unraveling faster than a weathered rope pulled too tight in a turbulent winter storm. The only thing keeping him even remotely grounded is Crystal….but the last thing he wants to allow himself is any kind of a relationship. No matter how much she pushed. No matter how much he wanted to admit she was right for him at this moment of need. There was too much happening and being tired of sitting by and just waiting for new of Rebecca, he knows it’s time to take matters into his own hands. Consequences be dammed. He would;t drag another woman he cared about into some sort of danger.

This was a great, intense, and quick read with a whole lot of emotion, and heat, packed into the pages and a great addition to the Inside Out Series. I’ll be looking forward to find out what happened to Rebecca, who is responsible, and what’s next for Mark and Crystal!

Thank you, Ms. Jones, for a great read!

 

4LovesRLBFour Loves

Lisa Renee Jones Bio:

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones is the author of the highly acclaimed INSIDE OUT SERIES, and is now in development by Suzanne Todd (Alice in Wonderland, Austin Powers, MustLisa-Renee-Jones-Headshot-275 Love Dogs) for cable TV. In addition, her Tall, Dark and Deadly series and The Secret Life of Amy Bensen series, both spent several months on a combination of the NY Times and USA Today and USA Today lists.

Since beginning her publishing career in 2007, Lisa has published more than 40 books translated around the world. Booklist says that Jones suspense truly sizzles with an energy similar to FBI tales with a paranormal twist by Julie Garwood or Suzanne Brockmann.

Prior to publishing, Lisa owned multi-state staffing agency that was recognized many times by The Austin Business Journal and also praised by Dallas Women Magazine. In 1998 LRJ was listed as the #7 growing women owned business in Entrepreneur Magazine.

Lisa loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at www.lisareneejones.com and she is active on twitter and facebook daily.

Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Author Goodreads | Author Amazon

Enter Lisa’s Giveaway!!
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The Lover’s Game by J.C Reed…Blog Tour Stop & Excerpt

The Lover’s Game

by J.C. Reed

Genre: Mature New Adult/ Adult Contemporary Romance

Recommended for ages 18 and up.

250pp

AMAZON US  |  AMAZON UK  |  iTunes  |  Nook

When love is a game…

After having her heart broken, Brooke tries to rebuild her life and closes herself off from the one man she loved deeply. When she meets Grayson, a photographer, she has no idea that her new boss will offer her more than she bargained for. The pay is great, her new friends more than welcoming and everything seems to be running well…until everyone insists she find herself a new suitor during a night out.

Jett knows how to play games. He is used to getting attention from everyone except the beautiful dark haired woman who doesn’t like to be fooled with and doesn’t trust him as far as she can spit. He wants Brooke but, more than that, he wants to own her, and the only way to get her is to make her owe him…against her will.

And what Jett owns, Jett keeps forever

 The Lover’s Game:

Find the The Lover’s Game on Goodreads:

No Exceptions #2 (No Exceptions, #2)

***Giveaway***

1x Signed paperback copy of THE LOVER’S GAME

1x sterling silver custom book pendant necklace $200 value

$100 Amazon Gift Card

Open INTERNATIONAL

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About J.C. REED

J.C. Reed is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of SURRENDER YOUR LOVE series. She writes steamy contemporary fiction with a touch of mystery. When she’s not typing away on her keyboard, forgetting the world around her, she dreams of returning to the beautiful mountains of Wyoming. You can also find her chatting on Facebook with her readers or spending time with her two children. 

Connect with Author

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

Other Books: in the No Exceptions series:

The Lover’s Secret (Book 1) is available now:  Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ iTunes~Goodreads

Worldwide, print and ebook

Fly by T.A. Foster….Blog Tour Stop & Excerpt

FLY_BlogTour

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BOOK SUMMARY:

Not everyone’s good at one-night stands.

Skye Stephens has the worst day of her professional career, and all she wants to do is shed her power suit and get lost in the sheets with the hot guy she met at the bar. The problem is, this uptight ad exec doesn’t know how to do one-night stands. She has strict rules about dating and when to let a man in her bedroom.

Fighter pilot Ben “Bolt” Hardcastle is used to lovin’ and leavin’. But, after he meets Skye, one night doesn’t seem to be enough.

When these two crash-land into each other, a connection strong enough to make the loner pilot and the sexy businesswoman shed their rules about love and relationships begins to burn deeper than either of them ever expected.

 

BUY LINKS:

Amazon  |  Smashwords  |  iTunes  |  B&N

Excerpt:

The bouncer lifted the velvet rope and ushered them into Splash. The bar had an aquatic theme. Parts of the floor were cut away and replaced with glass. Bolt noticed goldfish swimming under his feet. Lights flashed under coral and shells.
“You made it.” Eagle slapped him on the back. “This place is crazy, isn’t it?”
“Yeah.” Bolt looked around. “So where is this guy? Have you already grilled him? I don’t even know his name.” He looked past an aquarium that spanned the length of the bar. He thought there might be sharks swimming inside.
“Goes by Hammer. I don’t know his call sign story yet. He was just at the bar.” Eagle squinted. “Oh shit. He’s over there.” He pointed past the sharks to a high-top table.
“Why did you say ‘oh shit’?” Bolt followed his friend’s stare.
“Shit.”
Hollywood walked toward them. “What’s going on?”
“Over there.” Eagle nodded.
Hollywood shook his head. “Shit. What are you going to do, man?”
Bolt decided not to answer. He wasn’t prepared for the adrenaline that pumped through his body. It was possible the vein on the side of his neck was noticeably throbbing. He didn’t have a plan other than to walk toward the table. That, and undo everything from two weeks ago.
It was loud in Splash. He couldn’t hear what they were talking about, but the new guy was laying it on thick. It was obvious he was hitting on her, and Bolt hadn’t decided yet whether she liked it. He couldn’t see her eyes.
“So, are you trying to vet our pilot candidates now?” Bolt stood in between Skye and Hammer. He had to smile. She looked stunned.
“Wha—what are you doing here?” Skye stammered.
Hammer hung his head over his beer. It didn’t take introductions for him to know he had just stepped in the middle of something that could easily cost him the job interview.
“I’m here with the guys.” He nodded toward Hollywood, Eagle, and Ranger, who all raised a beer in their direction. “We’re interviewing a new candidate for the squadron. What about you?” He noticed she was wearing a suit, sort of like the one she had on the first night they met. He had to direct his eyes to look at her face and not wander.
She seemed flustered. “I’m here for work. My company did the opening night promotions for the bar. I’m here for moral support.” She smiled, letting the corners of her mouth turn higher.
“And you?” Bolt eyed the new guy.
“Hammer, sir.” He extended a hand.
Bolt shook it. “And you’re rushing the Rebels?”
“Yes, sir. I was just making conversation over here. That’s all, sir.”
Bolt chuckled. The kid was scared shitless. He couldn’t blame him. Skye was beautiful. Seeing her with someone else had made every muscle in his body tense and flex. He was glad he wasn’t going to have to punch the new guy.
“You know, if I were you, I’d be buying Hollywood and Eagle drinks. I think we’re good over here.” He glared at Hammer.
“Yes, sir. Got it, sir.” Hammer grabbed his beer and headed toward the other pilots without even saying good-bye to Skye.
“What was that all about?” She eyed Bolt.
“New guy. It’s my job to give him a hard time.” He smiled at her.
“You’re pretty good at giving a lot of people a hard time.” Her grin turned to straight-lined lips.
He didn’t have an apology prepared. In fact, he never planned on apologizing. He had always thought she was the one who blew the whole thing out of proportion until he saw Faith this afternoon. Seeing Skye again seemed to make the argument fade into the background. What was it Faith had just told him? He was happy Skye was standing next to him—her black suit and frown. Maybe there was a chance he could right all his wrongs.
“Yeah, about that. I’m sorry. I was a jerk.” He waited for her eyes to tell him if all was forgiven. “Can I buy you an apology drink?”
“Drinks are free tonight.” She held up something in a glass that was pink.
“Oh. Ok, how about dinner?” He thought he caught a glimmer of a smile.
“I already ate.”
“Hmm…what about dessert?”
She shook her head. “I don’t know.”
He edged closer so his arm brushed against hers. “Look, I know I was an ass the last time I saw you. But I can’t tell you how much of an ass, if you don’t at least give me a chance. One dessert.”
She chewed on her bottom lip. “One dessert?”
“Yep. Your choice.” He could see her weighing the pros and cons in her head. She was making him sweat it out.
“Hey, there you are!” A slender blonde sashayed next to Skye. “I was looking for you.” She stopped when she saw Bolt. “And who is this?”
He extended his hand over the table. “Ben. Nice to meet you.”
He saw recognition flash in her eyes. “Ben?” Skye must have talked about him. The good and the bad.
Skye nodded.
“Oh, well hi Ben. I’m Kari, Skye’s friend. We work together.”
“Nice to meet you. Maybe you can help me out. I’m trying to get Skye to go get dessert with me, but I really screwed up so she needs convincing.”
“Ha, she needs convincing about everything.” Kari winked.
“Kari, I can’t believe you just said that.” Skye elbowed her friend in the arm. “What about Dave? I’m supposed to meet him here tonight.” Bolt noticed the exchange between them was full of inside information.
“Just go. Have fun. You’ve done your part here. No one will even notice if you’re gone. I’ll call Dave now and tell him we’ll do it another time.”
Bolt wanted to ask who Dave was, but now wasn’t the time.
“I—I thought you might need me to stick around and help you with the promo swag.”
Kari sighed. “No, get out of here. I can do the rest.” She nudged Skye. “Bye, Ben. It was nice to meet you.”
He took his opportunity and wrapped an arm around Skye to steer her away from the table. “Bye, Kari. You too.” He winked as they rounded the shark tank.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Where in the hell do you think you’re going?” Hollywood stood in front of them. “Hi, Skye.”
She waved lightly. “Hi, Hollywood.”
“We’re headed out. The guy’s got my vote.” Bolt slapped Hollywood on the back. “I don’t need to have any other conversations with him. I’m fine with him.”
“But we’re getting ready to take shots.” Hollywood whined.
“Take one for me, man.” Bolt smiled and headed for the exit.
Outside, the line for Splash hadn’t shrunk. The new club had drawn a bigger crowd by the minute. Bolt threaded his fingers through Skye’s.
“And just like that you think you can sweep me off my feet?” Skye turned and studied his face.
He smiled. “Just like that.”

FLY_Release2

 

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Author Information

T.A. Foster met, fell in love with, and married her own Marine fighter pilot. Through deployments, trainings, and sometimes living oceans apart, their own love story continues every day.
She grew up catching rays and waves along the North Carolina Outer Banks and now resides in the state with her husband, two children, and two canine kiddos.
T.A. has an undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a graduate degree in Educational Psychology from Texas A&M University.  When she’s not chasing her two-legged and four-legged children or trying to escape for date night, you can find her reading, writing, or planning her next beach trip.

Author Links:
Blog: http://www.tafosterauthor.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tafosterwriter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TAFosterauthor
Author Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7164289.T_A_Foster

Ignited by J. Kenner…Release Day Event

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Today is the day – J. Kenner’s IGNITED is finally here and we are so excited to celebrate the release! You have got to get your hands on this steamy read!

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About IGNITED

He promised to take me as far as I could go—and I wanted to go to the edge.
 
My whole life has been a cover, a con, a lie. I was born into the grift, raised on the thrill of playing someone I’m not. As a rule, I never let anyone get too close—until Cole August makes it impossible for me to stay away.
 
Cole is tough, sexy, and intensely loyal, yet his secrets are dark and his scars run deep. Not many women can handle his past, or the truth behind his fierce demands. But something about him beckons me—and our desire is a game I must play.
 
I know he’s dangerous, that even his touch is trouble, but what is passion without a little risk?

Add it to your Goodreads list here!

Amazon Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iTunes

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Excerpt:

He let go, then moved to face me. I missed his touch, but the trade-off was worth it. I’m not the kind of girl who swoons over hunky firemen calendars and I’ve only seen Magic Mike once. But as far as eye candy went, Cole was a walking, talking Milky Way bar, and at least as tempting.

“Really,”he confirmed. An easy smile bloomed on his face, and he shook his head slowly, with obvious pleasure. “I didn’t realize that working as a barista required such honed salesmanship.”

“I’m a woman of many talents,”I said, then fluttered my lashes.

“Damn right you are.”He drew in a breath as he looked at me, and try as I might, I had no clue what he was thinking.

“That was quite the commission you just brought in,”he finally said. “I have a feeling you’ll be getting Christmas cards from Tiki for the rest of your life.”

“I look forward to it. What about you?”I asked boldly, and blamed it on the wine. I met his eyes, and fervently hoped that mine really were a window to the soul, because right then I wanted him to see straight inside me. “What will I get from you?”

“That depends on what you want.”

“Want,”I repeated. Where Cole was concerned, what didn’t I want?

“I told you earlier that you owed me,” he said. “Do you want to call us even?”

“Do you?”

He was silent for a moment, and then one moment longer. “No,”he finally said.

I lifted my chin. “Good.”

His expression remained perfectly stoic, but he lifted his hand toward my face, then dropped it, as if he were a child who’d caught himself about to do something naughty.

“It’s okay,”I said, my voice almost a whisper. “I won’t break.”

“Don’t be so sure, blondie. I’ve been known to destroy even the most resilient things.”

“I’m not a thing. And you won’t destroy me.”I hesitated only a second, then took one step closer. The difference was only inches, but the air seemed suddenly thicker, as if my lungs had to work harder to draw in oxygen. “It’s okay,”I said again.

All around us, the party continued, but I’m not sure either one of us was aware. Instead, it felt as if we’d stepped into a vortex, and at least in our little corner of space and time nothing else mattered or even existed.

I held my breath, wanting his touch so badly I could taste it. And when he finally brushed the side of his thumb over my cheekbone, it was all I could do not to moan aloud.

All too quickly he took his hand away, leaving me bereft.

All too quickly he stepped back, forcing the world around us to come back to life.

“I just had to see if I was right,”he said.

“About?”

“Your skin. It’s like touching a promise.”

“Is it?”I murmured.

“Tender,”he said. “And a bit mysterious. With layer upon layer just waiting to be discovered.”

My breath stuttered in my chest. “I didn’t know you thought that,”I said. “I didn’t know you thought about me at all.”

He was silent for so long I began to fear he wasn’t going to answer. When he spoke, his words cut through me, sharp and sweet. “I think about you more than I should.”

It was suddenly very warm in the gallery. Little beads of sweat gathered at the hairline on the back of my neck. I needed air, because it seemed as if all the oxygen had been sucked out of the room.

Somehow, miraculously, I formed words. “What are you thinking now?”

 

 

About J. Kenner

Julie Kenner (aka J. Kenner and J.K. Beck) is the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of over forty novels, novellas and short stories in a variety of genres.

Praised by Publishers Weekly as an author with a “flair for dialogue and eccentric characterizations,” J.K. writes a range of stories including super sexy romances, paranormal romance, chick lit suspense and paranormal mommy lit. Her foray into the latter, Carpe Demon: Adventures of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom by Julie Kenner, is in development as a feature film with 1492 Pictures. 

Her most recent trilogy of erotic romances, The Stark Trilogy (as J. Kenner), reached as high as #2 on the New York Times list and is published in over twenty countries. 

J.K. lives in Central Texas, with her husband, two daughters, and several cats.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

 

People I Want to Punch in the Throat: Competitive Crafters, Drop-Off Despots, and Other Suburban Scourges…ARC Review

Releases tomorrow, 9/9

PIWTPITT cover

Synopsis:

A debut collection of witty, biting essays laced with a surprising warmth, from Jen Mann, the writer behind the popular blog People I Want to Punch in the Throat

People I want to punch in the throat:
• anyone who feels the need to bling her washer and dryer
• humblebraggers
• people who treat their pets like children

Jen Mann doesn’t have a filter, which sometimes gets her in trouble with her neighbors, her fellow PTA moms, and that one woman who tried to sell her sex toys at a home shopping party. Known for her hilariously acerbic observations on her blog, People I Want to Punch in the Throat, Mann now brings her sharp wit to bear on suburban life, marriage, and motherhood in this laugh-out-loud collection of essays. From the politics of joining a play group, to the thrill of mothers’ night out at the gun range, to the rewards of your most meaningful relationship (the one you have with your cleaning lady), nothing is sacred or off-limits. So the next time you find yourself wearing fuzzy bunny pajamas in the school carpool line or accidentally stuck at a co-worker’s swingers party, just think, What would Jen Mann do? Or better yet, buy her book.

 

My review:

Ok, so I love Jen Mann. If you don’t know of her, or her laugh-so-hard-you-snort blog, People I Want To Punch In The Throat, then I am here to introduce you to some of the funniest and most real parent and life posts you will ever read. No really. And if you do know of her, high-five!

Her newest book, People I Want To Punch In The Throat: Competitive Crafters, Drop-Off Despots, and Other Suburban Scourges, touches on all of the joyous *heavy on the sarcasm* wonders of being a suburban mom in the prim and proper Pinterest age….and it is one of the funniest books I’ve ever read.

Question: Have you ever left your house in pj’s to drop a kid off thinking no one will ever see those pj’s, only to find out you HAVE to get out of the car and parade your pj clad self into the school?

-OR- Had to suffer through a playdate chatting it up with a mom who, under any other circumstances, you would never want to associate with for even one tenth of a nanosecond, but because your kids are friends and you HAVE to stay through the playdate you’e stuck with said parent?

-OR- How about dealing with those obsessive parents, living vicariously through their kids to make up for all that lacked in their own childhood?  They are gems….

I see you nodding after reading those questions and that’s exactly why you need this book. Not only does Jen write her completely relatable experiences, but she writes with such snarky comedy genius that you can’t NOT laugh. I mean I annoyed the hell out of my poor husband while reading this because I would be reading, start laughing, shove the book under his nose and say: “read this! It’s just like *censored to save face with my friends and neighbors*!”. And guess what? He thought it was hilarious, too!

But aside from the hilarity of this book, is that fact that Jen puts it all in perspective. Life, kids, parenting, suburban society, the pressures of raising kids in an age where Pinterest makes you feel like a slacker every time you log on…. all of it. She makes us realize we aren’t alone in this craziness and that it’s ok to take life with a grain of salt. It’s ok to not want to suffer through a play date or not want to spend 6 months crafting dat and night for a kid’s birthday party. It’s ok to head out without makeup on and in your bunny pj’s. It’s ok to want to punch people in the throat!

So while this book is a break from my normal genres, I will always pick up a book written by Jen because she reminds us that life isn’t perfect and you may as well have a good laugh along the way! Thanks Jen, you freaking rock and I love ya lots!

 

5LovesRLBFive Loves

 

Buy the book:

Amazon

About the author:


Jen is the blogger throwing hilarious punches peppered with a liberal dose of f-bombs on her blog People I Want to Punch in the Throat. Jen is also the publisher and editor of the best-selling anthology I Just Want to Pee Alone. She is the author of People I Want to Punch in the Throat: Competitive Crafters, Daycare Despots, and Other Suburban Scourges (Sept 2014) and Spending the Holidays with People I Want to Punch in the Throat (Dec 2015). She has been featured on The Huffington Post, Babble, and Headline News.

She is wife to The Hubs and mother to Gomer and Adolpha (not their real names – their real names are actually so much worse).

People I Want to Punch in the Throat blog can be found here

Roped In by Lorelei James…ARC Review

 

Roped In releases September 9

Roped In COVER

Book links:

Kindle  |  Amazon Paperback  |  1,001 Dark nights

 

Synopsis:

Ambition has always been his biggest downfall…until he meets her.

World champion bulldogger Sutton Grant works hard on the road, but his quiet charm has earned the nickname “The Saint” because he’s never been the love ‘em and leave ‘em type with the ladies. When he’s sidelined by an injury, he needs help keeping his horse in competition shape, but he fears trying to sweet-talk premier horse trainer London Gradsky is a losing proposition–because the woman sorta despises him.

London is humiliated when her boyfriend dumps her for a rodeo queen. What makes the situation worse? She’s forced to see the lovebirds on the rodeo circuit every weekend. In an attempt to save face, London agrees to assist the notoriously mild, but ruggedly handsome Sutton Grant with his horse training problem on one condition: Sutton has to pretend to be her new boyfriend.

But make believe doesn’t last long between the sassy cowgirl and the laid-back bulldogger. When the attraction between them ignites, London learns that sexy Sutton is no Saint when that bedroom door closes; he’s the red-hot lover she’s always dreamed of.

The more time they spend together, the more Sutton realizes he wouldn’t mind being roped and tied to the rough and tumble cowgirl for real…

 

 

My review:

Roped In is story number 6.5 in author Lorelei James’ Blacktop Cowboy Series as well as novella #9 in the 1,001 Dark Nights Series. I was so excited to get my hands on the newest cowboy from Lorelei and oh man, this was one hell of a ride. I loved every minute!

As a world champion bulldogger, Sutton Grant isn’t a stranger to injury. But his last injury was almost the permanent lights out type and since then he’s been on the injured reserve, so to speak. He’s on the mend and feeling pretty good but unfortunately, since he couldn’t exactly do much riding, his horse’s training has been neglected and it was really showing. He needed help and knew exactly the person to call. London Gradsky. Too bad she probably wouldn’t be thrilled to hear from him considering she kinda hates him.

Still bearing the sting of being dumped by her boyfriend, London really needed a distraction. She never would have thought it would have come in a 6 foot 3, hot and sexy, bulldogger package. When Sutton Grant had gotten in touch with her to help him with his horse, her first reaction was to tell him to find someone else but instead her evil genius went to work and she figured he would be the perfect revenge on her ex. All he had to do was pretend to be her new beau and flaunt their new relationship in her ex’s face. Genius! Except that almost right off the bat her feelings were anything but pretend. Would she be able to stick with the ruse until his horse’s training was over and her ex got his healthy spoonful of “see what you’re missing”?

Lemme just take a moment to bask in the memory of Sutton and London *dreamy sigh* Ok, I’m back. This novella absolutely knocked my socks off. From the very first chapter it is packed with emotion, humor, and tons of heat. Sutton is an amazing character. Not only is he built, handsome and sexy as all get out, but also he is sweet and kind. Caring and shy. Sure he knows he’s a good-looking guy but he’s been single for a little while now and is isn’t very confident when it comes to London and is vulnerable. Those are the qualities that had me swooning. London is one of the most fun characters I’ve read in a while. She is such a spitfire and had me laughing out loud more than a few times while reading. I would totally hang out with her. But beyond that she’s strong and not afraid to go after what she wants. Together they are beyond smoking hot! Their personalities compliment one another deliciously and they have a chemistry that is mouthwatering to read. This book played out like a movie in my mind’s eye while I read it and I couldn’t put it down. I’m actually a bit mad at myself for reading it so fast but it was the type of story you lose yourself in. And the ending? The. Freaking. Best.

Thank you, Lorelei, for a smoking hot cowboy, his perfect gal, and tons of passion!

5LovesRLBFive Loves

 

James teaser 2 shortened

 

About the author:
A bit about me: When I’m not squirreled away behind my laptop writing fun, sexy, contemporary erotic romances set in the modern day Wild West, I can be found reading everything under the sun, practicing yoga until I’m a pretzel, shootin’ my .22, watching the Professional Bull Riders tour on Versus, and running a kid’s taxi service, all in the guise of avoiding housework and rustlin’ up vittles.
Why do I have a particular fondness for all things western? Well, I’m a fourth generation South Dakotan, living in the Black Hills, which is chock-full of interesting characters, including cowboys, Indians, ranchers, and bikers. The geographical diversity of the surrounding area showcases mountains, plains, and badlands. Living in and writing about rural settings gives me a unique perspective, especially since I’m not writing historical westerns. Through my fictional world, I can show the ideals and the cowboy way of life are still very much alive.

Twitter | Facebook | Website

 

Bedtime For Bad Girls by Anthony Bryan….Blog Tour Stop & Spotlight

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Book Cover 1

 

Bedtime For Bad Girls

 

A collection of erotic, toe curling, and sinfully delicious stories, Bedtime for Bad Girls is just the thing to send you off each night for the sweetest dreams of your life!

After writing The Suicide Princess, Anthony Bryan found there is an enormous demand for the sort of raw, hot fiction that can allow women to devour page after sexy page. Men are more tactile in their desires – they crave what they can see and feel physically. Women, however, are more sensual in that they yearn for what they can “feel” emotionally. Men are perfectly satisfied with watching something erotic, but women need to feel the emotions of what they’re experiencing; they need to connect with the participants and feel as though they are actually living the moment for themselves. This book is nothing more than a collection of steamy stories, told through the eyes of the participants, designed to put you in the heart of each moment – as a participant and not a viewer. There is no storyline or secret plot woven between each tale, but just a fun and raunchy collection of stories for you to enjoy one-by-one. It’s a chance to let go for a few minutes each night and enjoy reading for nothing more than a sinfully delicious escape to somewhere very naughty.

So, once again, find your favorite reading spot, pour yourself a drink (or maybe three this time), and love every second of Bedtime for Bad Girls… Because as always, Anthony Bryan wrote it for you!

 

Bedtime Teaser 6

 

Author Bio
Anthony Bryan,
Author of The Suicide Princess and Bedtime For Bad Girls

Born and raised in London, UK, Anthony’s hope, more than anything, is that his words can provide an escape for you, and he hopes they take you on a journey you won’t soon forget. His goal is to give you something different, refreshing and unlike anything you’ve ever read. In a sea of authors pumping out the same cookie-cutter stories, Anthony can only try to be the one who stands out and takes you on one hell of a ride. Find your favorite reading spot, pour yourself a drink (or two) and love every second of every page he writes… After all, he writes them for you!

At 27 years old, Anthony now resides in the U.S. where he divides his time between Boston, Massachusetts and Sarasota, Florida. He served with the American military in eastern Afghanistan, and he is a combat veteran as well as an accomplished fighter training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai kickboxing. He has more tattoos than his mother would have liked, and he may not seem like the typical erotic writer – because he’s not. He’s different, and his work is different, so get ready to be blown away!

Throughout his entire life, even as a young child, reading has always been Anthony’s escape from reality. It was a way to temporarily leave the boring monotony of day-to-day life, and it allowed him to visit far off lands, meet unusual characters, take incredible adventures, and even learn about the very edges of our universe. Being able to take his love of reading and transform it to a passion for writing has been the greatest gift he has ever been given.

Facebook Fanpage  |  Goodreads Page  |  Personal Website  |  Goodreads Book Link 

Bedtime Teaser 3

 

Atria Indies Fall in Love Tour GIVEAWAY

Atria tour logo

Hi everyone!

Last night I was lucky enough to go to the Philly stop on the Atria Indies Fall in Love Tour and see the fabulous Abbi Glines, Colleen Hoover and Jamie McGuire.

Of course, I can’t go to a signing event without getting something to give away.  So without further adieu….

I have an adorable ceramic heart wall hanging signed by each of the authors

AND

 ecopies of Fallen Too Far by Abbi Glines, Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover and Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire to one lucky winner!

Enter to win in the rafflecopter below and thanks for stopping by!

Atria collage

Glines Hoover McGuire giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal…Left Behind by Vi Keeland and Dylan Scott

left behind cover

COVER REVEAL: Left Behind

By Vi Keeland & Dylan Scott

left behind full

Left Behind

by

New York Times Bestselling Author Vi Keeland and Dylan Scott

(A standalone novel)

Genre: A New Adult Romance novel

Want to read the first few chapters? Sign up for Vi’s mailing list now and get a sneak peek!http://eepurl.com/0ABfr

Add Left Behind to your TBR list on Goodreads!https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22438116-left-behind

RELEASE DATE: October 16th, 2014

 Cover

Cover designed by Sommer Stein, Perfect Pear Creative

Model: Siselee Maughan

Photographer: Christie Q Photography

Blurb

Two stories so deeply intertwined, you’ll think you know how they intersect…but you’ll be wrong….

Zack Martin

The day I met Emily Bennett my whole world changed. Sure, we were just kids, but I was old enough to know my life would never be the same. She was my best friend. My destiny. My fate. I wasn’t wrong…I just didn’t know how twisted fate could be.

Nikki Fallon

After the death of my mother, moving from my dark and dreary trailer park to sunny California, I was focused on one thing – finding a sister I’d only just learned existed. Falling in love with him wasn’t part of the plan. But he filled a void I never knew was possible to fill. He had to be my fate. My destiny. Until the day I finally found out who my sister was…and how twisted fate could be.

 

Additional Books by Vi Keeland

 

Worth the Fight (MMA Fighter Series, Book One)

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1xC6epE

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1alpVES

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1dbzZ8R

Smashwords – http://bit.ly/1is0zNX

iTunes: http://bit.ly/1co2ZpF

Worth The Chance (MMA Fighter Series, Book Two)

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1xC71aa

B&N: http://bit.ly/1gwTyJw

Itunes: http://bit.ly/1gHMCZg

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1fqQcnj

Smashwords:http://bit.ly/NU2rCR

Worth Forgiving (MMA Fighter Series, Book Three)

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1wbsJEK

Amazon UK: TBD

B & N:http://bit.ly/1ljdVzb

iTunes: http://bit.ly/XBTLFX

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1kWP4ka

First Thing I See (Stand Alone)

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1qLL4ET

Belong to You (A Cole Novel, Book One)

Amazon US : http://amzn.to/1jdAlRk

Made For You (A Cole Novel, Book Two)

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1qLLdIk

 

About the Authors:

Vi Keeland

Vi Keeland is a native New Yorker with three children that occupy most of her free time, which she complains about often, but wouldn’t change for the world. She is a bookworm and has been known to read her kindle at stop lights, while styling her hair, cleaning, walking, during sporting events, and frequently while pretending to work. She is a boring attorney by day, and an exciting smut author by night!

Website |Facebook |Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Pinterest

 

Dylan Scott

Dylan Scott is a New York trial attorney, wife and mother of four. She believes her job as a trial attorney is a subcategory to the field of entertainment more than law.   With a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature she believed teaching English was a destined career choice until she realized her life long talent of “argument” could actually be her job.   A recent, fairly boring, midlife crisis resulted in a brief stint as a middle school English teacher which confirmed that she wasn’t ready to give up the law.   Dylan has also taught legal courses at the college level and worked with at-risk inner city youth in the roles of mentor and coach. She is co-author Vi Keeland’s biggest fan.

Facebook (1) | Facebook | Goodreads

 

 

 

 

THANK YOU!

Accidents of Marriage by Randy Susan Meyers….Blog Tour Stop & Excerpt

AOM cover

 

 

Synopsis:

The latest page turner from Randy Susan Meyers, ACCIDENTS OF MARRIAGE (Atria Books; September 2, 2014) never lets go of the reader from the first page to the last. For Madeline Illica, the love of her husband Ben was her greatest blessing and biggest curse. Brilliant, handsome and charming Ben could turn into a raging bull when crossed—and despite her training as a social worker Maddy was never sure what would cross him. When Ben was in a conciliatory mood they worked on techniques for communication and anger management but on the day of the accident, nothing seemed to help. He was furious at having to drive Maddy to work, the road was wet, and that SUV was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Ben never meant for them to go off the road or for Maddy to go flying through the windshield.

Now she’s on a ventilator in intensive care and no one knows if she’ll reawaken from her coma and, if she does, whether she’ll ever be her old self. Maddy’s family blames Ben. Maddy’s friends blame Ben. The children blame Ben. Ben blames Ben—and he is sick to the pit of his soul over the fear of losing his one true love. Fourteen-year-old Emma sees things a little differently. She desperately misses her mother but misses being a teenager more as she’s forced to pick up the slack from Ben and parent her younger siblings Gracie and Caleb. On the cusp of coming of age, she needs Maddy so she can discuss the hard decisions she’s being forced to make. And her confrontations with her volatile father are growing more heated by the day.

Exploring emotional abuse and traumatic brain injury with unblinking honesty, ACCIDENTS OF MARRIAGE is a blindingly clear and immediately engaging account of life inside of a marriage and the choices that can make the difference between living in hell and salvation.

 

Excerpt:

CHAPTER 1

Maddy

Maddy ran her tongue over her teeth, imagining the bitter taste of a crumbling tablet of Xanax. After a gut-wrenching day at the hospital nothing tempted her more than a chemical vacation. Nothing appealed to her less than cooking supper. Churning stomach acid—courtesy of work—coupled with anxiety that Ben might come home as frenzied as he’d left made a formidable appetite killer.

She could bottle it and make a fortune.

Each morning she spun the wheel on the Ben chart, hoping the arrow would hit happy husband, or at least neutral guy. Today his arrow landed on total bastard, holding her personally responsible for Caleb’s tantrum, which—oh, horror!—had cost Ben twenty minutes of work.

She considered taking a pill, but the rites of family happiness demanded her attention. Gracie and Caleb sprawled on the rug, recovering from their day at camp: seven-year-old Caleb, half asleep, rubbing his cheek with his thumb; nine-year-old Gracie’s glazed eyes fixed on the television. Emma, her oldest, a day camp counselor at fourteen, would be home soon.

Sluggish inertia kept Maddy stapled to the couch despite her long list of waiting tasks. Chop vegetables, pay the mortgage, and catch up on laundry before the kids ran out of socks. Find a stamp somewhere in the mess she called her desk so she could mail the electric bill. Give her children feelings of self-worth. Plus, since she and Ben had fought that morning, he’d need soothing. Fellatio came to mind.

Indestructible fabric, the sort bought by parents with children prone to transferring their sticky snacks to the upholstery, prickled against her bare arms. She lusted for air- conditioning as she’d once longed for peace, justice, and her husband. Each suffocating Boston summer their badly wired Victorian became more hateful and Ben’s warnings about global warming swayed her less. According to Ben, her environmental ethics turned situational with each drop of perspiration.

Pressing the small of her back didn’t ease the permanent knot lodged deep and low, nor did shoving a small hard pillow against it. Her stomach growled despite her lack of desire for food.

Fish sticks would be easy, but she couldn’t bear turning on the oven.

The back door slammed. Emma banged her backpack on the table. Her daughter’s way of saying I’m home.

“Emma?”

“What?”

Maddy struggled up from the couch and headed toward the kitchen. “Just making sure it’s you.”

“Were you expecting someone else?” she asked.

“It could have been Daddy.”

“Right.” What an all-purpose word right had become in their family, their polite way of saying, I am acknowledging you have spoken, but am choosing not to engage in any meaningful way. Lately, they used it all too often.

Newspapers they’d tried to read at breakfast covered half the table. Emma stared into the refrigerator as Maddy gathered the papers, unsure whether to recycle them. Had Ben finished reading the Boston Globe? The New York Times?

“There’s nothing to eat,” Emma said. “In Caro’s house—”

The sound of breaking glass followed by Caleb’s scream interrupted before Emma could specify just how superior a shopper Caro’s mother was.

“Mom!” Gracie yelled. “Come here!”

Emma followed as Maddy ran to the living room.

“Jesus, what happened?” Maddy crouched next to Caleb, her stomach dropping at the sight of blood pouring from his foot. Shards of glass surrounded him, liquid droplets of milk clinging to the pieces, a larger white puddle pooling on the wooden floor. She grabbed a wadded-up napkin to staunch the blood, crouching awkwardly to avoid cutting her knees.

Gracie’s mouth trembled. “I just got up, that’s all, and I knocked over his milk glass. He got mad and screamed, then he stood up and kicked the glass and it broke. He stepped on it. It wasn’t my fault!”

“It’s okay, Gracie.” Blood soaked through the napkin, dissolving the paper as she exerted pressure. “Emma, get me a damp towel.”

This was preventable, Ben would say. This is why we have plastic glasses.

“Make it stop, Mommy!” Tears cut through the dirt on Caleb’s cheeks.

She pressed harder. Gracie mopped the spilled milk with a dirty T-shirt from her backpack. “Here.” Emma held out a dripping kitchen towel.

“You need to wring it out, Emma. Never mind, just get a clean one.”

Emma stomped out with Gracie in her wake. Wet cloth slapped in the sink.

“Give this to Mom.” Emma’s voice from the kitchen was extra loud.

Using the hem of her black cotton skirt, Maddy covered the napkin. Gracie returned with a new towel. Emma watched from the doorway, twirling the bottom of her long brown braid.

Maddy peeled away her skirt and replaced it with the towel, Caleb whimpering.

“Do I have to go to the doctor?” He squinted as peeked under the towel. “It doesn’t look too deep, but it has to be cleaned,” she said. “I don’t think we need a doctor.” Maddy’s pulse calmed. She stopped rushing ahead in her mind: wrapping Caleb’s foot safely enough to hold in the bleeding until they got to the emergency room, packing the kids in the car, calling Ben. She looked again—making sure her decision was based on wisdom and not wishful thinking. It wasn’t gaping. The bleeding had slowed.

He tried to pull his foot away. “No! No cleaning. It’ll hurt.”

Emma squatted next to them. “You let Mom wash out the cut and I’ll play Monopoly.” Caleb’s smile came through like a sun shower.

“That’s sweet, honey.” Maddy should appreciate Emma’s goodness and stop losing patience with her sulks and eye rolling. “Thank you.”

“Can I play?” Gracie asked.

“No,” said Caleb. “Just me and Emma.”

Gracie’s lip quivered at her brother’s words, leaving Maddy torn between soothing and yelling Stop it, especially when she saw Gracie make the tiny sign of the cross she’d picked up from Grandma Frances, Ben’s mother, a woman given to reflexive ritual blessings. Gracie’s gesture unsettled Maddy. Next thing she knew, her daughter would be genuflecting at Our Lady of the Virgins. Buying her a Jewish star or a Unitarian flaming chalice, before Grandma Frances hung a crucifix over Gracie’s bed, went on her to-do list. Mixed marriage only went so far.

“Monopoly is better with more people, Caleb.” Pregnant women should be required to take classes in referee and negotiation skills along with breathing and panting lessons.

“No. I only want to play with Emma.”

Gracie pulled at her camp-grimy toes. “How about you and I make chocolate sauce while they play?” Maddy suggested. “We could have hot fudge sundaes for supper.”

“Ice cream for supper?” Gracie raised her chin off her knees.

“Why not?” She pushed back her daughter’s sweaty black curls, the only visible part of Maddy that Gracie had inherited. The kids divided their parents’ parts and shared few: Skinny Caleb had Ben’s thick brown hair, Maddy’s long lashes and narrow shoulders. Poor Gracie, like Ben, would have to fight a tendency toward getting thick in the middle. Emma, wiry like Maddy, had her father’s sharp cheekbones.

Emma rolled her eyes. “Healthy, Mom.”

“Shut up, Emma,” Caleb said.

“You shut up. Or I won’t play with you.”

“I’ll play,” Gracie said.

“No. Emma picked me. Wash my cut, Mommy.”

***

A child leaned on either shoulder. With feet propped on the coffee table, Maddy drifted in and out of sleep. Dirty bowls decorated with blobs of hardened fudge littered the room. After cresting to a quick high of giggles over supper, they’d slumped into queasy sugar comas.

They stirred at the sound effects of Ben’s nightly return: The car rolling on gravel. Scrape of heat-swollen door opening. Keys dropping on the hall table. Briefcase thudding to the floor. Sighs of relief or disgust indicated his mood level. Despite their early- morning fight, Ben sounded audibly benign. Thank God. Maybe it would be a Swiss night, with the living room their first neutral zone.

Ben entered the living room and surveyed their collapsed bodies and the scattered Monopoly pieces. Gracie pulled away and ran to him, throwing her hands around his waist. He stroked her black ringlets into a little bundle at the back of her head as she leaned into his slightly softening middle. He had the body of a forty-three-year-old man who fought gravity by playing handball twice a week, but who’d given up crunches. Not bad, but unlike Maddy, who ran and used free weights and the rowing machine in their basement, his battle against time brought fewer visible rewards.

“What happened?” he asked. “It looks like a war zone.”

“We had some excitement. Our boy cut himself.” Caleb held out his bandage- swathed foot while still staring at the television.

“You okay?” Ben asked. He gave Gracie one last pat and went to the couch. “Hurt much?”

Caleb shrugged. “I guess. A little.” He studied Maddy as though seeking the right answer.

Ben laid a hand on Caleb’s calf. “Can you walk on it?”

“Sorta. I hop on my heel on that side.”

“It’s on the ball of his foot. The inside,” Maddy said.

“How’d it happen?” Ben tugged on his chin—his poker tell that steam could build at any moment.

Maddy leaned over Caleb and kissed her husband, hitting the side of his mouth he offered. “Forgetting anything?” she asked. “Hello, Maddy? How are you?”

He exhaled. “Don’t start. I’ve had a rough day.”

Kissing was starting? It is when you’re being sarcastic, she answered herself, using Ben’s lecture voice. “He fell asleep and then got up without remembering there was a milk glass next to him. It was an accident.” She knew the lie was barely plausible, but she also knew it was just enough for him to avoid being prosecutorial.

“Where was he sleeping? The recycle bin?”

“Very funny. A glass broke. End of story.” There. The truth snuck in.

“Why can’t the kids eat and drink at the table like they’re supposed to? Why weren’t they using plastic glasses?” He ran his hands through his hair. “Look at this place. It’s a mess. No wonder everyone’s always having accidents.”

Caleb rubbed his thumb back and forth across his knee. Gracie crossed herself.

“Not now, okay? Please.” She sent him a significant look.

Ben flexed his shoulders, leaned back on the couch, and stared at the ceiling. He took a deep breath, seeming to remember the anger management sheet Maddy had forced on him six months ago, after he’d thrown a shoe. At the wall, he insisted each time she mentioned the incident. Not at you. But her message had landed. For once, she’d broken through his endless rejections of her careful observations about his temper.

Good thing. She’d gritted her teeth through his rages, but she’d be damned if their house became a physical battleground. He’d scared himself when he’d thrown the shoe— just as he had years before when he’d thrown a bottle of detergent against the wall. The difference was this time he’d listened to her. He’d read the sheet despite hating it when she supposedly social-worked him. Save it for your clients, he’d yell when she deconstructed him. The children. Their marriage. You’re not my shrink, you’re my wife.

If he didn’t want her to social-work him, then she sure wished he’d learn to manage his own moods. Maddy’s sister insisted that one day it would be too late for anger prevention sheets and other tricks. Vanessa had no patience for Ben’s rages, but Maddy blamed herself for the antagonism her family felt toward Ben. Maddy overshared. Everything negative, anyway. When had she last called her sister to say things were going great? To brag about Ben taking an entire day to make sure Gracie could ride her bike safely? How often did she mention that Ben took the kids to the movies while she went for a massage?

At least her mother pretended to love Ben. For which Maddy was grateful.

“We had ice cream for supper,” Caleb announced. Emma’s shoulders squared.

Gracie pressed into Maddy. Ben turned to Caleb. “Ice cream?”

“With hot fudge,” Caleb added.

“Nice to be rewarded for breaking a glass, huh?” Ben kicked off his shoes. “Since I haven’t fallen or broken anything, what do I get for supper?”

Emma jumped up.“Should I make you eggs, Dad?”

“Thank you, honey. That would be terrific.” He leaned back and closed his eyes, pushing off his shoes with his toes.

Gracie tapped his forehead. He blinked and gave her a tired smile. “What is it, cupcake?”

“Want me to cut up carrots for you?”

Maddy grabbed the laundry basket from where she’d dropped it in the corner of the living room and hurried out before she had to witness the girls wait on Ben. It drove her crazy watching them being trained in the fine art of placating an angry man, but try explaining that one. What, a child couldn’t feed a hungry father?

After throwing in a white wash and rummaging through the crowded shelves for fabric softener, she dragged over a small dusty step stool and climbed up, stretching to reach behind the jumble of cleaning supplies. She pulled out a dusty baggie that held a few tablets, took out a yellow one, bit off half, and swallowed it dry. Sometimes she wondered if she could remember all of her caches. Keeping them scattered around the house gave her a convoluted sense of peace and safety. She might reach for one pill in a week; she might reach in every day. Either way, knowing that they were never more than a few steps away comforted her.

***

Back in the kitchen, remnants of Ben’s eggs and carrots littered the countertop.

She cleared the debris to one side to make sandwiches for the kids’ lunch boxes. Trying to spread cold peanut butter made her hate Ben’s mother. Frances had spent the past forty-six years appeasing Ben’s father’s neuroses by keeping a spotless house and refrigerating peanut butter, on constant guard against food poisoning, bacteria, and dust.

Because of Frances, they ate hard peanut butter.

The bread tore. She folded it around the wad of Skippy and shoved it in her mouth. Then she got a fresh slice and began making the sandwiches again: grape jelly for Caleb, blueberry for Gracie, and for Emma, Maddy’s mother’s homemade orange preserves.

Anger exhausted her. She waited for the kiss of Xanax to kick in, Prince Charming bearing a sheath for her nerves.

Ben hadn’t cared if they ate hot mayonnaise and slept on typhus-encrusted sheets when they’d met, not while they burned off the searing heat of their early years. He’d been exciting, her Ben, a public defense lawyer demanding the world give his wrecked clients a break—a little justice, a fair shot. She could barely breathe around him, some part of her always needing to touch some part of him. Her hand on his shoulder. An ankle casually leaning against his calf.

Ben dwarfed everyone, racing through life with exclamation points coming out all sides. Poverty to the right? Boom! Racism? Pow. Dirty landlords? Gotcha!

Who knew all that passion and rage could be directed at a late car payment? A missing button.

Her.

 

Book links:

 Amazon  |  B&N  |  iBooks

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About the author:

RANDY SUSAN MEYERS is the author of The Comfort of Lies and The Murderer’s Daughters and a finalist for the Massachusetts Book Award. Her writing is informed by her work with batterers and victims of domestic violence, as well her experience with youth impacted by street violence. She lives with her husband in Boston, where she teaches writing seminars at the Grub Street Writers’ Center. She is also a frequent contributor to The Huffington Post.

Website