Blog Tour: Guest Review + Excerpt- Daring Summer by Elyse Douglas

Daring Summer by Elyse Douglas Publisher:  Broadback (May 1, 2019) Category: Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance Tour dates: June 24-July 31, 2019 ISBN:978-1093138429 Available in Print and ebook, 285 pages 

Description:

 Daring Summer by Elyse Douglas

A hot summer beach— A marriage gone wrong— Daring eyes and daring love, betrayed by a secret passion. Kim feels trapped in a loveless marriage to a jealous, wealthy older man. He blames her for crippling him in an auto accident that he himself caused. Kim strives to make the marriage work, despite her husband’s blame, verbal abuse, and bitterness. When she meets a wickedly handsome man on the beach, she fights not to want him, not to want a new life and not to fall in love. But Derek is seductive and irresistible—a former soldier who has recently come to town to start a landscaping business. Kim falls hard for him, as he does to her. Although Kim wants a divorce, her husband finds out about their affair and devises a plot to destroy them both. They must struggle to survive a web of lies, deceit and dangerous passion.

Praise Other Side of Summer

“5 stars, another great, emotional read from this author!! I was hooked the minute I started reading it. Be warned you will need a box of tissues to read. I really love this author!”- Melissa Mendoza, Anne & Melissa’s Book Love “I found this to be a satisfying, well developed warm and enriching read. It gave me a lot to think about. I will recommend it to readers of both genders, age high school and up, who like substance in their novels.”-Laura Reading, Laura’s Interests “The book is more than just a contemporary romance – it’s a family saga, a book about the bonds of family, about love (not just between partners but between parents and children), about life and the choices we make. It’s heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. The writing is hauntingly beautiful, and the author has a talent for crafting believable characters. An excellent book, and I look forward to reading more by this author.”- Majanka, I Heart Reading “Great story, I give it five stars.  I thought the book was wonderful and emotional, and I loved the writing style and how the words flowed.  I was happy to fantasize about being there to watch the story unfold.  I loved this story; took me back to my young beach days.”-Diana's Book Reviews

REVIEW: 

Guest Review by Nora S.

“Fog was clinging to the ocean, crawling along the dunes and faraway cliffs, obscuring the sprawling beach houses on the bluffs, creating a lonely, pensive seclusion.” 

From the first chapter of 'Daring Summer' I knew I was in for a delectable read. The above quote comes in while the main character, Kim is contemplatively staring out at the ocean from the windows of her beach house on Long Island.  She has more reason to be lost in thought than most, throughout the novel, Kim goes on a trans-formative journey that takes her from the abused wife of a rich and vicious man to a strong, self-possessed woman in her own right. 

This novel is a romantic suspense, and the romance between Kim and the man next door, Derek is beautiful, but what really took me off guard was the setting. The breathtaking descriptions of the beach and the coast line. The descriptions of the waves lapping against the rocky cove and the storms fiercely rolling across the restless sea were just lovely to indulge in as a reader. The description and setting alone really elevate this novel from an average romantic suspense to something entirely more.  I felt like I was right there on the beach with these characters and I loved every second of it. 

Setting is, of course, very important to a novel in terms of how it plays on the themes and situations that the characters are facing and the sea—both beautiful and stormy-- was a perfect analogy for Kim and Derek's romance. It was masterfully pulled off by the authors in a way that you just don't get to see very often. 

I'm not sure I've ever read another book like 'Daring Summer' or that I ever will again. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I give it all 5 stars.

Excerpt: 

Derek released her and they lay close on the bare sand, her head resting against his shoulder, her body still quivering and warm.  The sound of the sea rose and fell, lulling them both into a dreamy contentment.

He gently kissed her ear and cheek, her closed eyes.  He wiped sand from her face and neck, feeling peace, feeling he’d come home.

“You kill me,” she whispered.  “What the hell am I going to do with you?”

He pressed his cheek to hers, whispering in her ear.  “You’re beautiful.  You’re perfection.  Let’s get out of here, Kim.  Leave him.  Let’s leave this town and run away where no one will ever find us.”

Kim’s eyes were still shut.  She sighed, still wanting more of him.  She thought, “It’s impossible.  Impossible to want him so completely and relentlessly.  Impossible.”

Kim drew in a sharp breath, her muscles finally beginning to relax “… And where will that be, Derek?  We’ll just be running from ourselves.”

“Bullshit.  We’ll get the hell out of here and away from Ben.  I have some money.  Let’s go to Central America.  I have some friends there… a couple of old Army buddies moved to Costa Rica.  We can go there and start all over.”

Kim sat up, pulled on her top, and looked him full in the face, unsure.  “I don’t know.  I don’t think so…”

“Why?”

“I have to finish this.”

“Finish what?”

“I’m married.  I have to finish that.  I can’t run away from that.  If I do, I’ll never forgive myself.”

Derek was incredulous.  “Kim, you have run away from it.  You’ve already left him.  You’re here with me.  We’re together.  We fit together.  We go together.  That’s it.  Finished.  Your marriage is over.  Can’t you see that?  What crazy daydream are you living in?  This isn’t some Broadway show where everybody sings and dances and lives happily ever after.  This is the real world, and the real world is the world Ben lives in.”

Kim gave him a long, searching look and then she stood up and finished dressing. 

“Okay, then, I have to end it, officially.  I can’t run away until I end it.  I’m not going to run away like my father did.  I can’t.   He was a coward.  He was a son of a bitch.  Okay, maybe I’m no better than my father was.  Maybe I’m just a whore, but I’m not going to run away.  I’ll face Ben, and I’ll tell him the truth about us.  I’ll finish it.”

Derek stood, knocked the sand from his body, and pulled on his shorts.  His eyes held questions, but he kept silent.  “Okay… so finish it.”

He took her hands and held them.  She looked away. 

“… And?” Derek asked, trying to find her eyes.

“And… it won’t be easy.”

“Do it, Kim.  Let’s get out of here before it’s too late.”

“Too late for what?”

“Before Ben makes his move—and he will make a move.”

Kim retracted her hands and turned toward the sea.  She thought about the yoga studio and the two million dollars.  It had all come so swiftly.  Ben’s change had been so sudden and complete.  She sighed.  “Until this moment, I hadn’t realized how scared I am of him.  He’s different.  He’s been different and changed for a long time.  Maybe I’ve always been scared of him.”

Derek moved behind her and took her shoulders.  “He knows about us, Kim.  Believe me.  You know it, too.  Finish it and let’s get out of here.”

Kim chewed on her fingernail.  “Okay, I’ll finish it.”

She turned and faced Derek, her eyes taking him in, fully, honestly, lovingly.  “I can’t stop seeing you.  I tried.  I did try, but I can’t.  I love you.”

“You’ll never get away from me, Kim.  Never.  We belong to each other.”

About Elyse Douglas:

Elyse Douglas is the pen name for the married writing team Elyse Parmentier and Douglas Pennington. Elyse grew up near the sea, roaming the beaches, reading and writing stories and poetry, receiving a master’s degree in English Literature.  She has enjoyed careers as an English teacher, an actress and a speech-language pathologist. Douglas has worked as a graphic designer, a corporate manager and an equities trader.  He attended the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music and played the piano professionally for many years. Website: www.elysedouglas.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/douglaselyse Facebook: www.facebook.com/elyse.authorsdouglas

Buy Daring Summer by Elyse Douglas  on Amazon

Giveaway Daring Summer by Elyse Douglas:

This giveaway is for 3 winners choice of one print or ebook copy of the book. Print is open to the U.S. only and ebook is available worldwide. This giveaway ends April 30, 2019, midnight pacific time. Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only. 

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Follow Daring Summer by Elyse Douglas Tour:

Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus June 21 Excerpt & Kickoff Kim Amazon June 24 Review Penny Amazon June 25 Review Jody Amazon June 26 Review Lu Ann Rockin' Book Reviews June 27 Review & Guest Post Kathleen Celticlady's Reviews June 28 Review & Excerpt Nadene Totally Addicted to Reading July 8 Review & Interview DD Amazon July 9 Review Tina/Rebecca Sassy Southern Book Blog July 10 Review & Excerpt Teaka Amazon July 11 Review Catherine Cuzinlogic July 12 Review & Excerpt Marina's Books July 15 Review Wendy Wall-to-wall books July 16 Review Author Amy Garrett July 17 Review & Excerpt Dawn Bound 4 Escape July 18 Review Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus July 19 Review Patricia Reviews by Room With Books July 22 Review                                           I Shannon L. Buck July 23 Review Ruth My Devotional Thoughts July 24 Review & Guest Post Donna Amazon July 25 Review Sarika The Readdicts Book Blog July 26 Review & Excerpt Melissa Amazon July 30 Review

 

Blog Tour: Excerpt + Giveaway- Deadly Ground by Thomas W. Starbuck & Judy Belshe-Toernblom

Deadly Ground by Thomas W. Starbuck and Judy Belshe-Toernblom Publisher:  Christian Faith Publishing, Inc. (April 4, 2018) Category: Fantasy,  Romance, Science Fiction Lite, Post Apocalyptic Tour dates: October-November, 2018 ISBN: 978-1641401678 Available in Print and ebook, 157 pages 

   

 “Deadly Ground” – a riveting story about the human race under threat, with a rare DNA condition providing a second chance for humanity. A fast-paced novel that reads like an apocalypse movie with a biological viral disease, some romance, and aliens in the mix, centered on the unforgettable human main character AB, who becomes the hope for humanity’s regeneration. By author Thomas W. Starbuck, whose storyline for “Deadly Ground” was adapted and written by Judy Belshe-Toernblom.

Trailer  Deadly Ground by Thomas W. Starbuck and Judy Belshe-Toernblom

Excerpt: 

Deadly Ground

T.W. Starbuck, Author

Excerpt 3 (Ch. 8) – 614 words

As he left the room, he passed Clayton’s desk. He saw a picture of Clayton, Colleen, and their family, including their dog Winnie.

“Winnie . . . she’s alone. I’ve got to get to her.”

He quickly pulled the picture out of the frame and tucked the picture into his pocket and left. Outside, AB loaded scanning devices and the matching equipment into his H2. He took a long last look at the CDC headquarters and then got into his H2 and drove away.

Once again, AB was carefully negotiating the streets of Atlanta. It was a silent war zone. Homes were broken into, doors were open. There were cars up on lawns and driven into buildings. There were family animals running everywhere, terrified and trying to find their owners . . . but no humans.

AB pulled up in front of Clayton’s home and exited his H2. He cautiously walked around the home and on to the backyard. He did not see Winnie. He calmed his voice and called to her.

“Winnie, Winnie it’s AB. Where are you, girl?”

He whistled. Then he picked up a few of her toys and squeaked them. He stuck a few dog cookies from her bowl into his pocket. He continued his walk to the garage. There she was, cowering in the corner of the garage. Winnie could hear him but did not come to him. Instead, she just watched him. He entered the garage unhurriedly and steadily to not scare Winnie.

“There you are, girl—” AB stopped in midsentence.

“Oh, sweet lord, it’s the children . . .”

Winnie was lying next to what appeared to be children’s clothing. The arms of the little boy’s clothing were wrapped around the little girl’s clothing.

He gasped and began to pant for air. The sight was too much. Then he remembered his mission. Through his tear-filled eyes AB looked around for a container to put the children’s dust into. On the shelf was a mason jar. He collected the dust of the children. As he did, Winnie slowly walked over to him. She was traumatized. AB held out a biscuit, and Winnie took it. AB petted Winnie and comforted her.

“That’s a start, girl, good girl.”

AB took the container now filled with the children’s dust and left the garage, Winnie followed. He asked himself, Where was Colleen?

He walked to the back door of the house. He cautiously opened it and walked in with Winnie. The door opened into the kitchen. There on the floor was the clothing and the dust of Colleen. There was a broken plate of sandwiches and spilled drinks on the floor. The food was covered in flies.

“She must have been fixing the children a snack, girl.”

AB petted Winnie again in a consoling way. He continued his ritual of gathering Colleen’s dust. He poured her dust in with the children’s, and then walked back outside. He sat on the stoop of the porch and cried as the humid Atlanta sun beat relentlessly on his back.

He looked around the yard and down the driveway. It was so quiet. He hated the quiet. To make matters worse, it was a muggy, sticky scorcher of a day that only added to the stench now rising from every orifice in the town.

Gathering his strength, he and Winnie walked to the H2. He opened the door of the H2 and took the container with Clayton’s dust and poured his family’s dust into the container. AB wiped the sweat from his face and tears from his eyes.

“I know you’d all want to be together.” AB and Winnie got into the H2 and left.

About Thomas W. Starbuck

Thomas W. Starbuck, an eternal optimist, finds joy in everything around him – from quality time with his active family to quiet meditation and contemplation about the world around him. Never living life in the status quo, Tom had an idea for a story. This spark of an idea for a screenplay turned into Tom’s first novel, 'Deadly Ground', published in April 2018. To give Deadly Ground the soul it needed, Tom worked with gifted writer, Judy Belshe-Toernblom, on both the screenplay and novel, and they were recognized by the 2018 Capital Fund Screenplay Competition Top 100. Tom is the father of two daughters and a beloved granddaughter, who one of the Deadly Ground characters was named after. He lives with his wife of 45 years in Des Moines, Iowa, where he graduated from Drake University and worked in financial services for 32 years prior to retirement in 2009.

 Website / Facebook / Twitter

About Judy Belshe-Toernblom

Multi-talented Judy Belshe-Toernblom has spent her career as an award-winning writer/producer/casting director in Hollywood. Having published 5 books, Judy received the Dove Foundation Award for her book, Boonville Redemption: The End of the Beginning, as well as its film, Boonville Redemption, starring Pat Boone, Edward Asner and Diane Ladd. Working with Thomas W. Starbuck on both the screenplay and published novel, Deadly Ground, they were recognized by the 2018 Capital Fund Screenplay Competition Top 100. She also received the Irwin Award for her book, It's A Freeway Out There! Everyone's Guide to the Film and Commercial Industry. She's had the privilege of working with award-winning directors over the years, casting for movies, educational films, industrials and infomercials,  such as:  McGruff the Crime Dog series, How the West Was Lost (Cable Ace Award), Knotts Berry Farm, Oroweat, Disney educational projects, Boys and Girls Town PSAs, Will Rogers Institute PSAs, and 100s more.

Website /  Facebook / Twitter

Buy Deadly Ground by Thomas W. Starbuck and Judy Belshe-Toernblom

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Giveaway Deadly Ground by Thomas W. Starbuck and Judy Belshe-Toernblom

This giveaway is for the winner’s choice of one print or ebook copy of the book. Print is open to the U.S. only and ebook is available worldwide. This giveaway ends November 30, 2018, midnight pacific time. Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only.

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Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway- Love Spell by Mia Kerick

Summary:

Having come to terms with being gay, Chance César is still uneasy with his gender identity, or, as he phrases it, “being stuck in the gray area between girl and boy.” This concern, however, doesn’t stop him from strutting his fabulous stuff on the catwalk in black patent leather pumps and a snug-in-all-the-right (wrong)-places orange tuxedo as the winner of this year’s Miss (ter) Harvest Moon Festival at the local Beans and Greens Farm’s annual fall celebration, serenaded by the enthusiastic catcalls of his BFF, Emily Benson. Although he refuses to visually fade into the background of his rural New Hampshire town, Chance is socially invisible—except when being tormented or beat up by familiar bullies. But when Chance, the Harvest Moon Festival’s mockingly-elected Pumpkin Pageant Queen, meets Jasper Donahue (Jazz), the legitimate winner of the Pumpkin Carving King contest, sparks fly. Chance wants to be noticed and admired and romantically embraced by Jazz, in all of his neon orange-haired glory.

And so at a sleepover, Chance and Emily conduct intense research on their laptop computers, and come up with an article in an online women’s magazine called “Ten Scientifically Proven Ways to Make a Man Fall in Love with You.” Along with a bonus love spell thrown in for good measure, it becomes the basis of their strategy to capture Jazz’s heart.

Quirky, comical, definitely “sickening” (this is a good thing), and with an inner core of poignancy, Love Spell celebrates the diversity of a gender-fluid teen.  

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Excerpts: 

REVIEW: 

After reading author Mia Kerick's It Could Happen, The Weekend Bucket List and My Crunchy Life- all of which I absolutely loved- I'm become a huge fan of hers, so when I got to know about Love Spell, no way was I going to let it pass. Just like her previous works, Love Spell was also an adorable, fun and believable read. 

Chance César, our male protagonist is a very average teenager who is trying to figure himself out. I found Chance to be super fun and extremely relatable with all his realistic problems and his plan to get the person of his dreams. His faith in an article that would help him win this person over was so fun to read as it reminded me of my silly but fun teenage years. 

When Chance meets Jasper, sparks instantly fly but Chance doesn't quite know if he has a chance with Jazz. This is where his mission with his friend Emily begins. Emily was one of the most adorable characters in the book who seemed super cool and fun. Jasper is portrayed as the brooding, mysterious and too kind to be true guy who helps run his home and at the same time perform his duties as a student. 

Even though it took me a long time to finish Love Spell, every time I got back to it, it felt like I hadn't left. I instantly connected with Chance and his addictive and attractive personality. Mia Kerick has yet again written a brilliant novel about teenage confusion and human nature. I would highly, highly recommend this one. 

*Note: A copy of this book was provided by Mia Kerick and YA Bound in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.

About the Author:

Mia Kerick is the mother of four exceptional children—a daughter in law school, another a professional dancer, a third studying at Mia’s alma mater, Boston College, and her lone son off to Syracuse. She writes LGBTQ romance when not editing National Honor Society essays, offering opinions on college and law school applications, helping to create dance bios, and reviewing English papers. Her husband of twenty-four years has been told by many that he has the patience of Job, but don’t ask Mia about this, as it is a sensitive subject.

Mia focuses her stories on emotional growth in turbulent relationships. As she has a great affinity for the tortured hero, there is, at minimum, one in each book. As a teen, Mia filled spiral-bound notebooks with tales of said tortured heroes (most of whom happened to strongly resemble lead vocalists of 1980s big-hair bands) and stuffed them under her mattress for safekeeping. She is thankful to her wonderful publishers for providing alternate places to stash her stories.

Her books have won a Best YA Lesbian Rainbow Award, a Reader Views’ Book by Book Publicity Literary Award, the Jack Eadon Award for Best Book in Contemporary Drama, an Indie Fab Award, and a Royal Dragonfly First Place Award for Cultural Diversity, a Story Monsters Purple Dragonfly First Place Award for YA Fiction, among others.

Mia is a Progressive, a little bit too obsessed by politics, and cheers for each and every victory in the name of human rights. Her only major regret: never having taken typing or computer class in school, destining her to a life consumed with two-fingered pecking and constant prayer to the Gods of Technology.

Contact Mia at miakerick@gmail.com. Visit her at www.miakerickYA.com for updates on what is going on in Mia’s world, rants, music, parties, and pictures, and maybe even a little bit of inspiration.    

       

Author Links:

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Giveaway: 

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Blog Tour: Excerpt + Giveaway- Inciting a Riot by Karen Renee

It’s the blog tour for Karen Renee’s INCITING A RIOT. Check it out and be sure to grab your copy today!

Title: Inciting a Riot

Author: Karen Renee

Genre: Contemporary Romance

About Inciting a Riot:

Cary “Vamp” Sullivan earned his Riot MC patch and shoved Lorraine Francis Ingram out of his life six years ago by cheating on her. He’s regretted it ever since because he knew she was a top-notch woman. After mentioning his regrets to his brother, Cal, Vamp suddenly finds himself faced with an opportunity to win Lorraine back. When he runs into her unexpectedly and finds out she has been beaten at the hands of a man, Vamp and his Riot MC Brothers are determined to protect her. Vamp is determined to get her back in his life, and he knows it’s going to be an uphill battle. Lorraine insists that if any Riot MC Brother is going to protect her, it cannot be Vamp. She gets no promises from the Riot MC, and she finds herself with Vamp at her doorstep. She’s determined there will be no second chances, but her resolve is weakened because Vamp isn’t playing fair, he’s fighting…fighting to win her over. Once she and Vamp are reunited again, they realize there is a very real threat to them both. Lorraine and Vamp are put to the test to rekindle their long lost love and stay alive.

Excerpt: 

“You gonna sleep like that, doll? Or will you make some room for me?” Vamp asked.

I opened my uninjured eye to give him a look. I shouldn’t have looked at him. Now who’s satisfied and tickled too? I supposed both of us were, but the look on Vamp’s face was one part cat-who-got-its-cream and one part mesmerized. The competitive part of me hated to think that he had won the war, but was it really worth fighting the war if I ended up with those delectable triple twitches every night by surrendering?

I felt the bed depress and my cocked leg was moved to drape over the back of Cary’s thigh. He moved my hands and pinned them by my head. At that maneuver, I opened both my eyes to find his intently examining me.

After a deep breath, he said in a low voice, “I want to marry you.”

I would not freak out. My eyes slid to the side and then back to him, “Um, did you drink from your dad’s highball glass tonight?”

He smirked and shook his head. The niggle of fear I felt earlier was back except it had grown to a full-blown ache sliding through me. Mom and I were left by my dad when I was still a baby, and no man since had ever wanted to commit to my mother. Maybe that’s why you go for cheaters. You kick them aside before they can love you and leave you. What the fuck? Now really, my thoughts needed to get with me and not try to undermine my sanity. His mother deserted him, but he’s not scared of mentioning marriage. True, but hell, we just got back together.

I took a deep breath and said, “I’m thinking it might be a little too soon, Cary. We just got back together.”

More of his weight descended on me. “I’m thinking it might be six years too damn late. We gotta make up for lost time.”

“Let’s take it one day at a time, and…” I trailed off because I was going to say he could make me his old lady before we tried marriage. The problem was I wasn’t new to the MC world. I knew full well that being an old lady was a higher commitment than a marriage license and wedding bands would ever be. If I was willing to say, make me your old lady first, then any protests to marriage were useless.

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About the Author:

 

 Karen Renee is the author of Unforeseen Riot and Inciting a Riot. She has wanted to be a writer since she was eight years old, but it’s taken the last twenty plus years for her to amass enough courage and overall life experience to bring that dream to life. Some of those life experiences came from the wonderful world of advertising, banking, and local television media research. She is a proud wife and mother, and a Jacksonville native. When she’s not at the soccer field or cooking, you can find her at her local library, the grocery store, in her car jamming out to some tunes, or hibernating while she writers and/or reads books.    

Connect with Karen:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram | Amazon | Newsletter

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Blog Tour: Excerpt + Giveaway- Born of Sin by Deanna Richmond

For what was foretold centuries ago had finally come to pass, and with it came a most profound storm.

Ever since Octavia Vail’s mysterious arrival upon this Earth, she’s held no memory of how she came to be. Octavia had a virtuous life, but at times felt a familiarity with the obscure. Within her, lives a great force that could not be ignored, and it has led her to the one named – Victor Logan Marcehtte.

Centuries old, Victor Logan Marchette has lived a life of influence. He, being a man of culture and prestige, holds a dark past. He was once a savage vampire but over time, has sworn his allegiance to their governing Cabalistis. There was nothing he longed for until the day Octavia entered his world.

When Victor and Octavia’s worlds collided, such a compelling love is born.

About the Book

Born of Sin

by Deanna Richmond

Series

Born of Sin Book One

Genre

Adult

Gothic Paranormal Romance

Publisher

Independent

Publication Date

June 13, 2018

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Excerpt: 

Octavia stepped into the main lobby of the Pennsylvania Medical Center for her night shift. Even before she’d arrived at work, everything had felt surreal. The evening breeze whispered promises, advising her of changes ahead. It felt as if a force were pulling her forward, and she had no choice but to oblige. She could not help but explore the sensation beckoning her. For the first time in her twenty-eight years, this journey felt like the right path, a path she’d chosen, a path that filled her heart with unexpected wonder.

 It was her first night after a month of training on days. She looked forward to working as a pediatric nurse, her favorite unit. She remembered vividly being that scared child no one had understood — the child who had received so many stares, while few seemed to understand how frightened, how cold, and how alone she’d felt.         

The center was on the smaller side, with only three hundred beds or so, but Octavia was blown away by its extravagance. While training during the day, she’d never had time to explore the hospital. The building had the look and feel of a castle on the outside, and a modern flare on the inside. The ceilings were vaulted and the place spacious. A huge fireplace sat off on the far wall where people would gather. Burgundy and charcoal gray couches and chairs surrounded the fire. The walls were a mixture of colored stones in between tinted windows which you could not see in from the outside. Best of all, it had a great reputation for nurturing a content workforce.

As she roamed the exquisite room, like the doe child she once had been, she became overwhelmed with anticipation. Along the stone walls were stands with inspirational quotes inscribed on large tablets. One, in particular, caught her eye. It read: “When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.” Octavia was speechless as she wandered closer to the plaque, kissed her hand, and touched the saying with trembling fingers. She thought of her mother and all those who had loved and nurtured her.

 A host of voices soon came to remind her that she was, in fact, in public, so she shook off the nostalgia and regrouped. Once she had positioned herself to leave, she felt a strong, electric surge — an intuition telling her to turn around. In the direct path of this gravitational pull stood the most striking creature she had ever laid eyes upon. As if the second hand on a clock had stopped, so did she, unable to turn away.

There he stood, on the other side of the lobby, wearing a dark tailored suit and commanding the attention of six others. His skin was a light olive tone. He had a dark beard which caressed the lower portion of his face. It connected to a well-kept mustache and surrounded his soft, full pink lips; not too full, just enough to make a girl wonder what they tasted and felt like against her skin. Standing at least six feet tall, his hands were in his pockets as he spoke in a mild manner. Octavia could not hear him, but she imagined his voice, deep, yet somehow soothing.

“My God, you are breathtaking.” Octavia’s chest rose and fell heavily as she whispered to herself. And as if he heard, the stranger became aware of her presence at that moment. Octavia's breath stuttered. She looked away for a split second, feeling herself blush, but glanced back, simply because she had to. The magnetism between the two made her shiver. In all honesty, he stole her breath away.

 She had thought it impossible that he could be any more alluring, but the impossible became real when he looked her way. He was magnificent. His features were so flawlessly sculpted that he almost didn’t appear to be a living, breathing man. What she absolutely loved was the white streak in the front of his dark hair. His eyes were majestic, set in the deepest shade of blue. Those two oceanic windows both warmed and chilled her core, as a keen sense of familiarity took hold. “You cannot be real,” she whispered.

As his eyes continued to linger in her direction, his listeners waited for his attention. When it did not come in a timely fashion, the others turned to see what had caught his interest.

 The world be damned. Octavia and the alluring man continued to stare at each other. Neither said a word or moved toward each other; they were simply trapped in each other’s gazes. They forgot a world existed outside of themselves. To others, it would've appeared that Octavia was held spellbound and he was the spell caster, but somehow, he was caught up in his own enchantment.

The magic broke when a woman stood in between them, blocking their view of one another and shaking Octavia out of her stupor. A fit of anger overcame Octavia as she fell back to Earth. It was such a rush that she had to catch the very breath he’d stolen. She hurried off without turning back.

Once around the corner, Octavia fell against the wall. She remained confused as to what had just happened. She covered her mouth with shaking hands, desperately trying to compose herself.

What was that?

  

Tour Wide Giveaway

To celebrate the release of BORN OF SIN by Deanna Richmond, we’re giving away a $25 Amazon gift card and ten ebook copies of the book!

GIVEAWAY TERMS & CONDITIONS:  Open to internationally. One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card and ten winners will each receive an ebook copy of the book. This giveaway is administered by Pure Textuality PR on behalf of Deanna Richmond (Dormaine G).  Giveaway ends 7/22/2018 @ 11:59pm EST. Limit one entry per reader. Duplicates will be deleted.  CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

About Deanna Richmond

DEANNA RICHMOND was born in Long Island, New York where she lived most of her life but now resides in Colorado. As a young child, she spent many Saturdays in the library nurturing her love for books.

Deanna attended New York Institute of Technology nursing program. There, she received a Bachelors in Nursing of Science. She also has an Associates in Math & Science and is certified in Forensic Nursing. After many years of working in hospitals and travel nursing, she took time off from work to pursue a career in writing. She also writes under the pen name of Dormaine G.

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This promotion is brought to you by Pure Textuality PR.