USA Today Bestselling Author J.L. Berg’s first YA title, THE TATTERED GLOVES, is on sale now for just .99c for a very limited time! Make sure to grab it now at this price!
About THE TATTERED GLOVES
Head down. Don’t look up. Never make eye contact.
Those were the words I lived by growing up, the words that protected me in an unsafe home. But words are only letters and eventually even they couldn’t keep his hands off me.
Hoping to leave behind the shattered life of my past, I find myself in a boring, small town, with an aunt I’ve never met and at a school I loathe.
But soon I learn, not everything in this world is as black and white as I’ve determined. Sometimes those we are so quick to judge often need a second, third or even fourth time to make a first impression.
And often, there are friendships and even love waiting just around the corner, if we are brave enough to take the first step.
Am I brave? Or will I hide behind these tattered gloves of mine forever?
Add THE TATTERED GLOVES to your to be read shelf on Goodreads!
My normally quiet nature seemed to take a backseat when it came to this guy. He made me angry, flustered, and… something else I couldn’t put my finger on.
Annoyed maybe?
No, that wasn’t it.
“What is your problem?” I blurted out, chasing behind him.
“My problem?” he asked, spinning around to face me.
Suddenly, he was too close. I could feel his breath on my face, his presence looming over me.
I took a step back.
He seemed to notice the unease settle around me, and a bit of the edge he carried chipped away.
His next words were said with a slightly softer quality. “Look, maybe we got off on the wrong foot. I didn’t mean to sound so harsh, but if the store doesn’t do well, it’s on me. My dad thinks it’s a waste of time.”
“And you don’t?”
I didn’t know what a rich, popular kid wanted with an old bookstore, but I kept my mouth shut.
He shrugged. “We have nothing in this crummy town, not even a movie theater. Last month, I wanted to see the new Marvel movie, and my friends and I had to drive thirty minutes away just to see it.”
“Haven’t you ever heard of Netflix?” I asked.
“It’s not the same as seeing it on the big screen.”
“I wouldn’t know,” I replied.
“What?” He grinned. “You’ve never been to a movie?”
The way he said it was meant as a joke, but all laughter died when I shook my head.
“Seriously?”
“I mean, I’ve watched several on TV but never at a theater,” I answered, not able to meet his stare.
“I thought you were from the city.”
My eyes flew up to his.
“Oh, so you really did think you were invisible. That doesn’t work around here, Mittens.”
My brows furrowed as I tried to figure out what he meant until he pointed to my gloves.
Mittens.
Cute.
“My name is Willow,” I corrected.
Sam just kept smiling.
“Word of advice, Mittens. The less you try to be invisible, the less interested people will be.”
I let out a heavy sigh, snatching the remainder of the books from the counter.
As he’d reminded me earlier, I wasn’t being paid to mess around.
And I sure as hell didn’t need life lessons from an over privileged daddy’s boy.
I hated this place.
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About J.L. Berg
J.L. Berg is the USA Today bestselling author of the Ready Series, The Walls Duet, and the Lost & Found Duet. She is a California native living in the beautiful state of historic Virginia. Married to her high school sweetheart, they have two beautiful girls that drive them batty on a daily basis. When she’s not writing, you will find her with her nose stuck in a romance novel, in a yoga studio or devouring anything chocolate. J.L. Berg is represented by Jill Marsal of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency, LLC.
Today is our stop on the tour for Famous by Default by M.K. Harkins! Check it out and grab your copy today!
About Famous by Default:
Jax doesn’t want to be famous. Stalked by rabid fans and the paparazzi, he dreams of better days when things were normal. But those days are gone. No one can stay under the radar if you’re from the Jaynes family. He doesn’t trust anymore.
Sivan doesn’t have a family. As a part of the foster care system, all she wants is to finish doing her time and move out and on. She doesn’t love anymore.
Jax and Sivan are thrust together on a small-town farm in Mount Vernon, Iowa. They take an immediate dislike of one another, trying at every opportunity to trip each other up. They don’t want to acknowledge they might be more similar than they first thought.
Will they stay stuck in their past, hanging on to their lack of trust and love? Or can they change before it’s too late?
MK has always been a voracious reader. After hitting a dry spell of reading material, she decided to write the kind of book she’d like to read. This resulted in the creation of her debut novel, Intentional. (Award for Best Sweet Romance – eFestival of Words- August 2014)
Unintentional, the second book in the series, is based on the life of one of the characters in Intentional (Cade – an engineer/rock star). Unintentional was written as a stand-alone book.
Breaking Braydon, another stand-alone book, is now available on Amazon.
Taking Tiffany (A spin-off) is available now.
MK is currently working on a paranormal romance – The Reader. Due out 2016. When she’s not writing novels, she likes to spend her free time traveling the world, splashing in mud puddles (She lives in Seattle, what can she say?), watching movies and reading (!)
The Sex Bucket List by Prescott Lane
Release Date: March 9th
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Mateo
Emerson’s a sexy mom of three.
And if you call her a MILF, I’ll kick your a**.
She’s got a sex “to do” list, and I’m just the man to help her check some things off.
But this isn’t my story. It’s hers.
Unfortunately for me, her story involves an ex-husband, a kid that hates me, and a pretty nice shot to my nuts. She’s a woman who thinks too much, always with a plan, a list, but I’ve got a list of my own.
Emerson
Mateo likes to tease me that I have lists for my lists. But I didn’t hear him complaining when he stumbled upon my Sex Bucket List.
This is the story of how I brushed the cobwebs off my sex life, put myself back onto my list and not only fell in love with a younger man, but with myself, as well.
Prescott Lane is the Amazon best-selling author of Stripped Raw. She’s got six other books under her belt including: First Position, Perfectly Broken, Quiet Angel, Wrapped in Lace, Layers of Her, and The Reason for Me. She is originally from Little Rock, Arkansas, and holds a degree in sociology and a MSW from Tulane University. She married her college sweetheart, and they currently live in New Orleans with their two children and two crazy dogs. Prescott started writing at the age of five, and sold her first story about a talking turtle to her father for a quarter. She later turned to writing romance novels because there aren’t enough happily ever afters in real life.
Experience the world’s most enchanting and timeless love story—retold with a dark and realistic twist.
A BEAST LIVING IN THE SHADOW OF HIS PAST
Reclusive and severely scarred Prince Adam Delacroix has remained hidden inside a secluded, decrepit castle ever since he witnessed his family’s brutal massacre. Cloaked in shadow, with only the lamentations of past ghosts for company, he has abandoned all hope, allowing the world to believe he died on that tragic eve twenty-five years ago.
A BEAUTY IN PURSUIT OF A BETTER FUTURE
Caught in a fierce snowstorm, beautiful and strong-willed Isabelle Rose seeks shelter at a castle—unaware that its beastly and disfigured master is much more than he appears to be. When he imprisons her gravely ill and blind father, she bravely offers herself in his place.
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Stripped of his emotional defenses, Adam’s humanity reawakens as he encounters a kindred soul in Isabelle. Together they will wade through darkness and discover beauty and passion in the most unlikely of places. But when a monster from Isabelle’s former life threatens their new love, Demrov’s forgotten prince must emerge from his shadows and face the world once more…
Perfect for fans of Beauty and the Beast and The Phantom of the Opera,Beauty of the Beast brings a familiar and well-loved fairy tale to life with a rich setting in the kingdom of Demrov and a captivating, Gothic voice.
Content Warning:This is an edgy retelling of the classic fairy tale. Due to strong sexual content, profanity, and dark subject matter, including an instance of sexual assault committed by the villain, Beauty of the Beast is not intended for readers under the age of 18.
BEAUTY OF THE BEAST BOOK TRAILER
ABOUT RACHEL L. DEMETER
Rachel L. Demeter lives in the beautiful hills of Anaheim, California with Teddy, her goofy lowland sheepdog, and her high school sweetheart of fourteen years. She enjoys writing poignant romances that challenge the reader’s emotions and explore the redeeming power of love.
Imagining dynamic worlds and characters has been Rachel’s passion for longer than she can remember. Before learning how to read or write, she would dictate stories while her mother would record them for her. She holds a special affinity for the tortured hero and unconventional romances. Whether crafting the protagonist or antagonist, she ensures every character is given a soul.
Rachel endeavors to defy conventions by blending elements of romance, suspense, and horror. Some themes her stories never stray too far from: forbidden romance, soul mates, the power of love to redeem, mend all wounds, and triumph over darkness.
Her dream is to move readers and leave an emotional impact through her words.
Don’t be a stranger! Rachel loves to connect and interact with her readers:
Book Title: If Tomorrow Never Comes (Part 1 & 2) Author: Sophie Slade Genre: Erotic Contemporary Romance Release Date: January 15, 2016 Cover Credit for If Tomorrow Never Comes, by: Sophie Slade: Alyssa Collins Pic: Photographer: Jamie Saveal Photography Model: Nycole Craft Cover Design: TNT Book Cover Designs Logan pic and back cover pic: Depositphotos.com Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions
Part 1
Part 2
On her way to Nashville to try her hand at a singing career, Alyssa Collins meets Logan Ambrose, her soul mate in every way. Not only is he a great singer and guitar player, he has a down-to-earth personality to die for. Soon, he proposes and they make plans for the future, but everything changes in an instant. A month later, she wakes from a coma only to learn that her life has changed forever.
Lost and distraught, Alyssa tries to make sense of her life. Needing to make a change, she puts her singing career behind her and finds herself in law school. Ten years later, she is a lawyer at a prestigious firm.
When Alyssa goes to New York for a political fund raiser, something happens that changes her life again. With more questions than answers, can she find it in herself to go on with her life … if tomorrow never comes?
If Tomorrow Comes, Part 1:
“Thank you, Nashville!” I yelled into the mic after the song came to an end. “Goodnight!”
I turned around to leave the stage, and the lead singer from the other band was still waiting in the wings, clapping wildly. I was surprised that he was still there.
As I ran off the stage, he grabbed my shoulders and pulled me in for a kiss, taking me by surprise. I pulled back, and over his shoulder … was Logan.
“What the hell are you doing?” I yelled into the guy’s face. “Get off me!” I struggled against his grasp.
As if in slow motion, Logan closed his eyes and turned and walked away.
“Logan, no!” I yelled over the crowd, trying to go after him once I finally broke free of Gargantuan. But strong arms caught me. I looked up and into Craig’s eyes.
“Sorry, kitten, but you have to do an encore,” he said over the crowd. “Listen.” The crowd was chanting my name over and again.
“No!” I yelled over their cheers. “Logan…”
“Will understand. But right now, you need to go back out there.”
“But I have to explain!” I yelled over the crowd.
“Explain later,” he said over the crowd, whose cheers grew louder. “But you have to go out there … now! Before they tear the place apart.”
I turned around. My band was standing close by, watching, having heard and seen everything.
“He’s right, Missy,” Noah said. It was his nickname for me, short for Little Missy. “We have to go back out there.”
I nodded as I pulled myself together and focused on the moment. The greatest moment of my life had turned into a disaster within the matter of seconds. Then, I turned to Gargantuan. “What the hell was that?” He shrugged, enjoying my anger. “Don’t you ever pull anything like that again! I don’t give a shit who you are!”
He bit his lower lip in an effort to conceal a cocky grin, obviously enjoying the reprimand a bit too much. “Yes, ma’am.”
Brett bumped his shoulder against Gargantuan as he passed. “Get him out of here,” he said to a nearby bouncer. The rest of the guys glared at him protectively.
If Tomorrow Never Comes, Part 2:
“Thank you for such a wonderful evening,” I said as Logan walked me to my door. “I had a wonderful time.”
“The pleasure was mine,” he said as his eyes suddenly smoldered. Then, he took my hand and raised it to his lips and kissed it, never taking his eyes from mine.
My heart pounded within my chest at the simple gesture. “Well, I’d better go inside,” I said, my voice merely a whisper.
But as I turned to walk away, he took my hand and wrapped his arms around me. Without taking his eyes from mine, he smoothed my hair away from my face … and I couldn’t look away. An instant later, his lips descended upon mine, gently at first, and then with a passion unmatched by man. As he slid his hand down my back and cupped my ass, I didn’t stop him, although I knew I would pay for it later emotionally. Then, he pulled me abruptly to him, and I could feel his erection through his trousers, fitting perfectly against my clit, even through my dress. Even though it was just one kiss, it was the single most erotic moment of my life.
He pulled back, and I caught my breath as his lips moved down my jawline to the hollow under my ear and breathed against my skin. “Stay the night with me, Allie.”
My breath quickened. Although I wanted to say yes with every fiber of my being, my mind was saying no. I wanted to tell that part of me to shut up, but it couldn’t be ignored. “Logan, we have so much to talk about…”
“I know,” he said, cutting me off as he pushed my hair back over my shoulder, away from my neck, and then looked in to my eyes. “But I need you, Allie. It can be just for tonight if you like, but I need you.” He kissed my neck, and then traveled down, pulling my dress away from the top of my breast, and gave me a kiss.
“Logan, I need more time,” I whispered, delirious with passion.
He kissed down farther, mere inches from my nipple as I closed my eyes. We were standing in the hallway, but at that moment, I didn’t care who may have walked by. “Allie, I understand that you need more time, and I’ll give it to you … all the time you need. But I missed you,” he said, his eyes pleading. “I’ve missed you so much … and I need you. And if it ends up being just for tonight, then I can handle it.” His lips descended upon mine as his hand slid down to my breast. Then, he drew circles with his thumb around my nipple over my dress as he pulled me to his chest. “I know you may not want to hear this now,” he said under my ear as he kissed my throat. Then, he looked into my eyes and gently tucked a stray lock of hair behind my ear. “But I want you, Allie. Be mine, even if it’s just for the night … please.”
Sophie Slade, what can I say, took me on a roller coaster ride of emotions during this entire book. I loved that! One moment I was happy, then giddy, then sad, then angry, then happy and then a WTH. If Tomorrow Never Comes is not the typical book were the couple finds each other and they live happily ever after. Oh and that couple, Alyssa and Logan, I wanted nothing more than to be a couple. The story starts off with Alyssa moving to Nashville at the age of 18 and all by herself so she can pursue her dreams of becoming a singer. It is in a diner she meets Logan, who is charming and you will just love him! It seems as if all is going perfect for Alyssa in the beginning and just about in the middle Sophie Slade makes me have the first drop on that rollercoaster I was talking about. There is just always some outside force keeping these two from being with each other. For instance, the coma Alyssa was in. Events in Alyssa’s life make her change her dreams of being a famous singer and maybe even her feelings for Logan! I know I was so upset but this is where it is a wonderful thing to have Part 2 available right away. I did not have to wait for the second part to come out.
As in the first book, Alyssa and Logan have an undeniable attraction to each other but things have changed so much in their lives since they have been separated. The chemistry jumps of the pages with these two and it is a wonderful giddy read. The second book was so even better than the first! I loved reading how they find themselves back to each other but I cannot tell you if it last…. *wink wink
Sophie Slade is the author of Erotic Romance. She started writing TOUCHED BY A VAMPIRE, never intending to publish it. However, her husband read it, loved it, and encouraged her to finish writing the book. Now, she is the author of TOUCHED BY A VAMPIRE and CROSSROADS, books 1 and 2 in her ETERNALLY YOURS SERIES. The next book in the series, TO LOVE A VAMPIRE, is coming soon. The stand-alone book IF TOMORROW NEVER COMES, Parts 1 and 2, is coming in January. Sophie has a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, News Editorial sequence, from the University of Tennessee at Martin, and a minor in English. Sophie is a full-time author and resides in Florida with her husband and children.
Book Title: Sunset Reads: Damian & Layla Author: D.C. Triana Genre: Romance/Suspense Release Date: December 26, 2016 Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions
One year.
It’s been one year since Agent Damian Trent left for Washington without a word.
One year since he’s seen her beautiful face.
One year since he’s heard his name on her lips.
He’s been recently called back to New York City on assignment, to catch a criminal who’s trying to infiltrate Sunset Reads. The last thing he expects is to work side by side with the woman he turned his back on.
Having her close is an unwanted distraction that he’s more than willing to ignore, if only she wasn’t so damn tempting.
Everything seems under control, until a night of feverish passion has him abandoning all thoughts of reason. Now, he will do everything in his power to get her back, and even more so to protect her.
Layla Reece wants nothing to do with the man who left her a year ago.
The man who took her heart with him, leaving her broken.
After a year of trying to forget Damian Trent, she is finally ready to move on.
But trying to forget him becomes a tedious task when he suddenly reappears in her life.
Although she fights to stay away, his magnetism is too strong and she finds herself giving into the deep timbre of his voice, and the strength and safety of his arms.
Staying away from Damian turns out to be futile, especially when his kisses consume her and his heart shatters the walls she spent so much time building.
Finding herself in danger, she now has to turn to the only man she trusts to keep her safe, but can she trust him enough to give him her heart once again?
Dinner went by uneventfully, and Layla continued to talk with Carol and Cristina who were sitting next to Damian. She tried her best to ignore him and his intense eyes that seem to call out to her the entire time she looked over. Every now and then she would get caught in them and quickly look away trying to divert the conversation to the other end of the table. She had somewhat succeeded and when dinner was done she plopped herself onto the living room couch waiting for the others.
Obi, Cristina’s loyal companion, dawdled into the room and stood staring at her. “You’re going to stand there staring at me, too. What else was I supposed to do?”
He jumped onto the couch and sighing, plopped his head on her lap.
“I know exactly how you feel,” she replied, running her hand through his soft fur.
“I see Obi has found the best spot on the couch,” Henry joked.
Damian appeared behind him with Sebastian.
“You’re not wrong.” Sebastian grinned.
Damian just watched her silently as she stared right back at him. He wanted to say something, anything, but couldn’t manage a sound. He needed to talk to her, but how?
Obi, on the other hand, stared up at the three men and practically dared them to move him. Henry plopped down next to them and propped the dog on his knee. “You lucky bastard.”
Layla laughed and hit him on the shoulder. She watched from above the rim of her glass as Damian sat across from them. She could tell he wanted to say something, but she didn’t want to hear it. She wasn’t ready for that yet.
She stood up and went to the kitchen where Cristina was busy getting dessert ready. She smiled at her friend. “You think I can step outside for a second? I feel kind of warm.”
“Sure, the back door is open. I think William turned the lights on back there.”
Layla smiled and rushed out to the back porch. Sure enough, William had lit the back wooden deck and small lanterns lined the backyard. Layla always liked it back here. It was really peaceful. Cristina had set it up so that she could write outside and Layla could understand why. In the spring rose bushes and a giant peach tree decorated the yard. It was truly beautiful. Layla breathed in the fresh air and tried to control her nerves. She was standing out there for a few minutes when the door suddenly opened. When she turned around, Damian stood beneath the porch light.
Layla took a step back, and quickly realized she needed to get out of there. She tried scurrying around him, but he grabbed her arm.
“Why are you avoiding me?” he asked her.
She stopped and looked up at him, she could almost make out the hint of hurt in his eyes.
“I’m not avoiding you. I’m just cold,” Layla lied. She was trying to get away from him, as far away as possible. She could feel the heat of his hand through the thin layer of fabric on her sleeve and his pull was magnetic.
“We need to talk.”
She shook her head. “No. There’s nothing to talk about.”
He gripped her a little tighter and stepped closer to her. She could smell the scent of scotch on his breath when he spoke. “We have a lot to talk about.”
Damian’s nearness was overwhelming and she felt her willpower start to fade. “What’s there to say, Damian? If you didn’t say it to me back then, why say anything now?”
“Because I was a coward,” he said with a hint of desperation.
She smirked. “I’m glad you realized that.”
He let her take a step away from him, and she quickly headed for the door. Before she opened it his deep voice resounded through the empty space.
“I may have admitted to being a coward Layla, but I don’t give up easily. This isn’t over.”
She stood very still and briefly closed her eyes. Without saying another word, she stepped back into the warmth of the empty kitchen. She quickly gathered herself and walked down the hallway, away from Damian and towards her friends who were in the living room.
She made her way to Alyssa who placed a hand on her cheek. “Are you all right? You look a little flushed.”
Layla smiled reassuringly. “I’m fine. The wine must be having its effects on me.”
She sensed as Damian entered the room and watched as he joined them. A cheerful smile played on his lips, showing no sign that he had been affected by their interaction. She grabbed a glass of wine and gulped it down.
“Take it easy there, lush,” Henry teased.
Layla narrowed her eyes on him, and purposefully downed the rest of the wine.
My name is D.C. and I’m the author of a new series currently on Amazon called Sunset Reads. The first book is based on the couple William and Cristina who find themselves fighting their urges to be with one another although a series of heated moments changes their lives forever.
I grew up in New York, I’m the daughter of two wonderful,Colombian immigrant parents. I’m a traveler, the travel bug hit me a couple years ago and my goal is to eventually see the whole world. So far I’ve gotten to Italy and Japan…I’m thinking Germany next. I started to write as an outlet for being bullied at school and as soon as I started I couldn’t put the pen down. It was always my dream to be a published author, ever since the age of fourteen, and now at 34 I finally accomplished my goal.
I plan on continuing to write and really truly want to get to meet new readers and writers and share experiences and ideas. Being a part of forums is new to me, but I would love to get to know about the people who love to dream and create new ideas and fantasies through literature just like I do. Thank you for making me a part of your group and allowing me to join you in these amazing adventures in storytelling and reading.
I hope you enjoy reading William & Cristina’s story and continue to join me in this journey within the doors of Sunset Reads! Please sign up to my email list on http://www.dctriana.com for free giveaways, new excerpts and more on Sunset Reads upcoming new release!
Those were the words I lived by growing up, the words that protected me in an unsafe home. But words are only letters and eventually even they couldn’t keep his hands off me.
Hoping to leave behind the shattered life of my past, I find myself in a boring, small town, with an aunt I’ve never met and at a school I loathe.
But soon I learn, not everything in this world is as black and white as I’ve determined. Sometimes those we are so quick to judge often need a second, third or even fourth time to make a first impression.
And often, there are friendships and even love waiting just around the corner, if we are brave enough to take the first step.
Am I brave? Or will I hide behind these tattered gloves of mine forever?
Add THE TATTERED GLOVES to your to be read shelf on Goodreads!
Find out as soon as THE TATTERED GLOVES goes up for sale on other retailers by subscribing to J.L. Berg’s newsletter!
4.5 Stars
J.L. Berg I am so excited that you took a chance and wrote in a different genre. And let me tell you, you definitely have a future in YA books. This book is a must read!!!
The Tattered Gloves is another perfect example of why I have such a huge addiction to YA books. The storyline was amazing and the characters are very real and relatable. I can’t say enough how “real” characters always plays a huge part in YA books. Alot of times that teenagers are acting older than they should – talking as if they are in college or reacting to things as mature adults. Yes, some teenagers are more mature than most college students, but that’s very rare.
Anyway, I digress. Willow’s reactions to everything in this book follows her personality perfectly all because of how she was raised by her mother. She is a shadow; she keeps to herself and tries to stay hidden. It’s what she knows and how she feels most comfortable in her skin. And then when her world is turned upside down, she stays hidden and keeps her guard up. But slowly learns that not everyone is cruel in this world, especially teenagers. She is strong and brave without realizing it.
Sam is something else. Let me tell you. He’s the most sincere, patient, loveable and protective teenager I have ever come across. But he’s no pushover. He’s got this magnetism that draws anyone and everyone to him. But he himself has gone through some tough times that unfortunately alot of kids these days go through. But he’s the one that finally breaks Willow out of her shell. And he does it without ever once making Willow feel scared or being pushed outside of her comfort zone.
I want to say so much more about this book and these characters plus a few others – Addy and Allison. The way J.L. slowly brings these characters into Willow’s life is amazing. And it all flows perfectly. Nothing is out of sorts and everyone interacts together so well. They are never out of character or doing something that just doesn’t fit their personality.
J.L. wrote a very strong story line. The plot is about a heavy subject but it’s not gruesome, which plays into the YA genre. You get the level of intensity that J.L. wants you to have with this book and this genre. She tells a great a story and wrote it very well. And I can’t wait for her to write more in this genre.
J.L. Berg is the USA Today bestselling author of the Ready Series, The Walls Duet, and the Lost & Found Duet. She is a California native living in the beautiful state of historic Virginia. Married to her high school sweetheart, they have two beautiful girls that drive them batty on a daily basis. When she’s not writing, you will find her with her nose stuck in a romance novel, in a yoga studio or devouring anything chocolate. J.L. Berg is represented by Jill Marsal of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency, LLC.
USA Today Bestselling Author J.L. Berg’s first YA title, THE TATTERED GLOVES, is available now! We love Willow’s story so much. Find out more about THE TATTERED GLOVES below!
About THE TATTERED GLOVES
Head down. Don’t look up. Never make eye contact.
Those were the words I lived by growing up, the words that protected me in an unsafe home. But words are only letters and eventually even they couldn’t keep his hands off me.
Hoping to leave behind the shattered life of my past, I find myself in a boring, small town, with an aunt I’ve never met and at a school I loathe.
But soon I learn, not everything in this world is as black and white as I’ve determined. Sometimes those we are so quick to judge often need a second, third or even fourth time to make a first impression.
And often, there are friendships and even love waiting just around the corner, if we are brave enough to take the first step.
Am I brave? Or will I hide behind these tattered gloves of mine forever?
Add THE TATTERED GLOVES to your to be read shelf on Goodreads!
Find out as soon as THE TATTERED GLOVES goes up for sale on other retailers by subscribing to J.L. Berg’s newsletter!
Read a Sneak Peek:
My normally quiet nature seemed to take a backseat when it came to this guy. He made me angry, flustered, and… something else I couldn’t put my finger on.
Annoyed maybe?
No, that wasn’t it.
“What is your problem?” I blurted out, chasing behind him.
“My problem?” he asked, spinning around to face me.
Suddenly, he was too close. I could feel his breath on my face, his presence looming over me.
I took a step back.
He seemed to notice the unease settle around me, and a bit of the edge he carried chipped away.
His next words were said with a slightly softer quality. “Look, maybe we got off on the wrong foot. I didn’t mean to sound so harsh, but if the store doesn’t do well, it’s on me. My dad thinks it’s a waste of time.”
“And you don’t?”
I didn’t know what a rich, popular kid wanted with an old bookstore, but I kept my mouth shut.
He shrugged. “We have nothing in this crummy town, not even a movie theater. Last month, I wanted to see the new Marvel movie, and my friends and I had to drive thirty minutes away just to see it.”
“Haven’t you ever heard of Netflix?” I asked.
“It’s not the same as seeing it on the big screen.”
“I wouldn’t know,” I replied.
“What?” He grinned. “You’ve never been to a movie?”
The way he said it was meant as a joke, but all laughter died when I shook my head.
“Seriously?”
“I mean, I’ve watched several on TV but never at a theater,” I answered, not able to meet his stare.
“I thought you were from the city.”
My eyes flew up to his.
“Oh, so you really did think you were invisible. That doesn’t work around here, Mittens.”
My brows furrowed as I tried to figure out what he meant until he pointed to my gloves.
Mittens.
Cute.
“My name is Willow,” I corrected.
Sam just kept smiling.
“Word of advice, Mittens. The less you try to be invisible, the less interested people will be.”
I let out a heavy sigh, snatching the remainder of the books from the counter.
As he’d reminded me earlier, I wasn’t being paid to mess around.
And I sure as hell didn’t need life lessons from an over privileged daddy’s boy.
J.L. Berg is the USA Today bestselling author of the Ready Series, The Walls Duet, and the Lost & Found Duet. She is a California native living in the beautiful state of historic Virginia. Married to her high school sweetheart, they have two beautiful girls that drive them batty on a daily basis. When she’s not writing, you will find her with her nose stuck in a romance novel, in a yoga studio or devouring anything chocolate. J.L. Berg is represented by Jill Marsal of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency, LLC.
USA Today Bestselling Author J.L. Berg’s first YA title, THE TATTERED GLOVES, releases January 24th – but we couldn’t wait to give you a peek! Read the haunting prologue below and preorder your copy today!
About THE TATTERED GLOVES
Available January 24th, 2017
Head down. Don’t look up. Never make eye contact.
Those were the words I lived by growing up, the words that protected me in an unsafe home. But words are only letters and eventually even they couldn’t keep his hands off me.
Hoping to leave behind the shattered life of my past, I find myself in a boring, small town, with an aunt I’ve never met and at a school I loathe.
But soon I learn, not everything in this world is as black and white as I’ve determined. Sometimes those we are so quick to judge often need a second, third or even fourth time to make a first impression.
And often, there are friendships and even love waiting just around the corner, if we are brave enough to take the first step.
Am I brave? Or will I hide behind these tattered gloves of mine forever?
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Read the Prologue:
Head down.
Don’t look up.
Never make eye contact.
These were the rules I’d learned to live by while growing up in a house where men frequented but did not stay. When I was very little, I’d always assumed my mother had a lot of friends. Big, strong, manly friends who protected us since I didn’t have a daddy.
How naive I had been.
The men who had visited only wanted one thing, and my mother was happy to give it — for a price.
She’d never made any desperate attempts to shadow this particular part of her life or protect me from it.
The most I’d gotten was a flippant warning when I started showing signs of puberty.
“Willow, you might want to keep out of sight more now,” she’d said.
Thanks, Mom.
And then, when I’d garnered more than a glance or two, she’d say, “Stay in your room at night. Don’t come out.”
But, even with all the rules and warnings, I couldn’t keep them all away.
I couldn’t keep him away.
He’d managed to snuff out every bit of me in a matter of minutes.
Whatever remnants of innocence I’d had from my childhood was gone like a puff of smoke.
But, in our darkest hours, sometimes, even the weak could find the light.
I did, and this… this was my story.
Watch the Trailer:
About J.L. Berg
J.L. Berg is the USA Today bestselling author of the Ready Series, The Walls Duet, and the Lost & Found Duet. She is a California native living in the beautiful state of historic Virginia. Married to her high school sweetheart, they have two beautiful girls that drive them batty on a daily basis. When she’s not writing, you will find her with her nose stuck in a romance novel, in a yoga studio or devouring anything chocolate. J.L. Berg is represented by Jill Marsal of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency, LLC.
He saved me. He tempted me. He helped me find my strength and taught me how to live again. But my past is threatening our future. Could this be our end?
New York Times bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones returns with the third book in the sexy, suspenseful Careless Whispers series.
Passion burns fiercely hot between Ella Ferguson and Kayden Wilkens, the man who held secrets and lies in his hands, and then allowed them to fall into hers. But even though he has become her anchor–helping her recover from amnesia after finding her unconscious in an alley, and allowing her into his secret world–all is not what it seems. Kayden still has secrets, and pieces of Ella’s past are still shrouded in the darkness of her mind, while the powerful man who hunts her will not stop until she is his. In this final, explosive novel in the Careless Whispers series, Ella discovers that while her life with Kayden didn’t begin in that dark alley…it could easily end there.
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones is the author of the highly acclaimed INSIDE OUT series. Suzanne Todd (producer of Alice in Wonderland) on the INSIDE OUT series: Lisa has created a beautiful, complicated, and sensual world that is filled with intrigue and suspense. Sara’s character is strong, flawed, complex, and sexy – a modern girl we all can identify with.
In addition to the success of Lisa’s INSIDE OUT series, she has published many successful titles. The TALL, DARK AND DEADLY series and THE SECRET LIFE OF AMY BENSEN series, both spent several months on a combination of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling lists. Lisa is presently working on a dark, edgy new series, Dirty Money, for St. Martin’s Press.
Prior to publishing Lisa owned multi-state staffing agency that was recognized many times by The Austin Business Journal and also praised by the Dallas Women’s Magazine. In 1998 Lisa 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.
Juliette Smith, star tennis player, is starting over at a new university. Traumatized by hazing at her last school, all she wants is to attend classes, win tennis matches, and be left the hell alone.
She should have known her coach, Drew King, would be a problem from the moment he flexed his sexy-as-hell forearms.
What happens when you mix a pissed-off woman with a bunch of snooty teammates and a hot coach?
A heated match, complete with team politics and a forbidden game of singles with the coach.
It’s reckless and hot until one of them taps out.
Unable to admit she may be better off as a double, Jules is convinced she needs to play the game of life alone. Then life throws her a lob and she runs smack into her past.
Coach King is back, and he wants to take control of the game. But she’s not certain she wants his advice when it comes to the life she’s built.
The power struggle is on, but this time off the court.
Rachel has done it again!! Another smashing story that grips my heart strings.
Break Point is a very forbidden, second chance love story. However, it’s not without it’s ups an downs and huge surprises. This story may be light on the big drama but it filled with love, angst and new beginnings.
“Jules, I want you more than anything. All of you. Everything about you. More than any other woman I’ve ever wanted. It’s a force . . . deep inside me.”
Juliette is the best when it comes to tennis. And when she transfers to a new college due to a previous dramatizing experience, she has the chance to start anew. Sparks are flying with her new coach almost instantly. And instead of ruining her chance at a huge career in tennis, Drew chooses to leave and let her dreams become a reality.
These characters – where do I start? Drew, Drew, Drew….he stole the limelight in this book. You truly couldn’t ask for a more humbling and understanding man with his sexiness. Juliette will be received differently by everyone. Her choices won’t be won over by a few and she actually irritated me at points. But Rachel does a fabulous job of allowing her readers to understand the choices her characters make, whether you may or may not agree with them.
While this book is lighter than previous ones I have read by Rachel, it still hits me hard. No matter the story, Rachel will always take you on a beautiful journey and leave you smiling ear to ear.
Rachel Blaufeld is a bestselling author of Romantic Suspense, New Adult, Coming-of-Age Romance, and Sports Romance. A recent poll of her readers described her as insightful, generous, articulate, and spunky. Originally a social worker, Rachel creates broken yet redeeming characters. She’s been known to turn up the angst like cranking up the heat in the dead of winter.
A devout coffee drinker and doughnut eater, Rachel spends way too many hours in local coffee shops, downing the aforementioned goodies while she plots her ideas. Her tales may all come with a side of angst and naughtiness, but end as lusciously as her treats.
When she isn’t writing, she can be found courtside, tweeting about hoops as her son plays, or walking around the house wearing earplugs while her other son, the drummer, bangs away.
To connect with Rachel, she’s most active in her private reading group, The Electric Readers, where she shares insider information and intimate conversation with her readers.
About THE TATTERED GLOVES
About THE TATTERED GLOVES
