Cole Masten. Abandoned by his superstar wife, Hollywood’s Perfect Husband is now Hollywood’s Sexiest Bachelor: partying hard and screwing even harder. Watch out Los Angeles, there’s a new bad boy in town.

Summer Jenkins. That’s me, a small town girl stuck in Quincy, Georgia. I cook some mean chicken and dumplins, can bluff a grown man out of his savings in poker, and was voted Most Friendly my senior year.

We were from different worlds. Our lives shouldn’t have collided. But then Cole Masten read a book about my small town. And six months later, his jet landed on our dusty airstrip, and he brought Hollywood with him.

From the start, I knew he was trouble. For our town. And for me.

Sometimes, opposites just aren’t meant to attract..

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Review

There’s something so flawless and seamless about Alessandra Torre’s writing that I become consumed with her words, characters, and story line, existing only in the world she creates and the lives of her dynamic hero and heroine, and Hollywood Dirt is no exception; in fact, Summer and Cole’s story is contemporary romance at its finest because it’s more than just a love story – it’s a text that drives home what small town living is all about, and it also provides an insider’s view of Hollywood at its dirtiest!

Cole Masten is Hollywood royalty, and he has the looks, lifestyle, and acting skills that will hold his reign, but amidst his success, Masten finds himself pitted against his cheating wife and due to his dalliances, he’s told to head to Quincy before his film starts production in order to control the media storm that’s surrounding his high profile divorce proceedings and that’s where his high profile world collides with southern small town society and one Summer Jenkins and when Hollywood meets the dirt roads of the south, it’s bound to raise some eyebrows, fuel gossip, and ignite a passionate love/hate relationship between Cole and Summer that is more real than either of them are willing to admit.

I love the dichotomy that Torre sets up in Hollywood Dirt between southern living and the facade of Hollywood; she takes readers into the heart of Quincy and provides enough background as well as current perceptions for the town to come to life – to be able to visualize the kind of people who live there and how their community works. Then, Torre strips down the differences between Cole, who’s always lived in the spotlight and Summer, who might not be a typical southern woman, but is as real as someone can be and shows that regardless of differences when two people connect at the depths of their souls then it’s not something that can be denied no matter how hard they try to fight it.

Cole and Summer are an amazing pair – both on/off the screen – they feed off of each other’s disdain as well as the sexual chemistry that sizzles between them and they can ad-lib with the best of Hollywood.

Hollywood Dirt is a slow burn love story – for much of the text, there’s equal parts attraction and hatred felt between the main characters, but as Alessandra Torre further immerses readers into who Cole and Summer are and both open up to the possibilities that lie in front of them, it becomes clearer that they’re a perfect match because they call one another on their shit, and they can be real with each other regardless of the spotlight that’s on them.

Summer is absolutely one of my favorite heroines this year because she refuses to be someone that she’s not and she’s not afraid to take care of herself and find her own way.

Readers will fall in love with Quincy and Cole and Summer!

A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

5 poison apples

Excerpt

When the door to the production trailer burst open, it brought with it a wave of heat and beauty. Cole looked up from the storyboards and locked eyes with Summer, who blew across the room at him like a tornado on tilt.

“There’s no love story between Ida and Royce.” Summer snapped, throwing down the script, pages fluttering down between them. In the small trailer, conversations stalled and he could feel the attention turn their way. “I’ve read the book. Three times!”

It was good to know that someone had read the damn book. Cole glanced down at her temper tantrum of a mess and back up, raising his eyebrows mildly. “It’s a movie,” he said, turning back to the storyboards. “The writers are adding some excitement. It’s normal. You’d know that if you were in this business.” The dig was unnecessary but he couldn’t help it. This woman turned him into the devil.

“I read the first script. The one you sent over with my contract. Ida and Royce hated each other. Why would Royce…” she snatched up a page from the ground and read out a line. “pushes Ida against the file cabinet and kisses her passionately.” She balled up the page and threw it down to the ground and he could see, in her eyes, the panic. Panic. An unexpected reaction.

“We’ll use that,” Don made the dangerous move of stepping in, putting a soft hand on her shoulder. “You don’t understand. The passion from their hatred will make it hotter.”

“No.” Summer said, her face hard, her eyes on Cole. “It doesn’t make it hotter. It makes it stupid.”

“Aww… come on, Summer.” Cole chided, stepping closer, his hand reaching out to pull at her wrist. She fought him, yanking it back and the moment of their bodies meeting didn’t happen. He leaned down and whispered, right against her ear, the smell of her apple-scented lotion enough to make him want to empty out the production trailer right that moment. “Sure it does.”

She jerked back and twisted away. “If he kisses me on camera I’m going to lose it.” She shot at Don, pointing an accusatory finger in Cole’s direction.

“I know you will,” Cole laughed, crossing his arms to fight from reaching out. “You’ll fall apart under my mouth, baby.”

Summer screamed in response, her hands thrown up in frustration, and spun to leave, her script left behind, the slam of the exit door loud in the full production trailer.

“That went well,” Cole mused. He linked his hands and rested them on his head, rolling his shoulders back. Panic. She’d had panic in her eyes. Fuck.

“What do you expect?” Don said. “You threw this on her without warning. I told you we should have met with her this morning, gone over the changes to prepare her. But no – you just wanted to dump it on her via call sheets and sides.”

“Dump it on her? I was People’s Sexiest Man last year. She’s not mentally adjusting to a war camp for God’s sake. How hard is it to kiss me?”

“It’s actually three kisses,” a dark-haired PA to his left pointed out. “And a grope.”

He gave her a hard look and she withered a little.

“I’ll go talk to her,” Don said. “Eileen, you shoot #4 and I’ll talk to Summer. I want to try to get #14 shot at eleven so let’s get our asses in gear and get this done.”

“I’ll talk to her.” Cole stepped in. “You shoot #4 and I’ll talk to her.”

“No,” Don snapped. “With my luck you two would make up and any authenticity to the scene would disappear. Just stay away from her and be ready at eleven.”

Cole chewed on his cheek, then nodded. “Fine.” Don was right. He should stay away from her. Far. Far away.

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You can learn more about Alessandra on her website at www.alessandratorre.com, or you can find her on Twitter (@ReadAlessandra) or Facebook.

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Title: Stay: A Dark Romance

Author: Chelsea Camaron

Release Date: September 7, 2015

Blurb

Fair Warning … This isn’t a sappy romance. It’s not sweet. It’s far from anything you would want to imagine. This is a story to leave you feeling dirty.

Nothing about us is normal.
Nothing about us is natural.

Can love ultimately be defined in such ways, truly? This is our story.

He is a hitman. The very one who took my family the night that changed us both forever. Something in my eyes stopped him from killing me. Something in my eyes called out for him to take me.

At ten he captured me, at fifteen he consumed me, and at eighteen he owned me.

Outsiders think he’s my father … that is so far from the truth.

Our twisted desires fuel the darkness that lies deep inside us both. My innocence never existed. He takes me as I am.

About the Author

Chelsea Camaron is a USA Today Best Selling author who loves bringing you panty-melting, page turning romantic suspense novels.

When I was younger I once said I wanted to become an author “when I grow up”. Well, I am a big kid and don’t plan to ever fully grow up, but this is an amazing journey to accomplish something I set out to do in childhood.

Chelsea Camaron has a love for old muscle cars and Harley Davidson motorcycles. She currently resides in Southern Louisiana with her husband and two children. She was born and raised in Coastal North Carolina and her heart is always Carolina daydreaming. Her love for reading has sparked a new love for writing with a few projects currently in the works.

I love hearing from my fans, feel free to email me at mailto:chelseacamaron@gmail.com.

Connect with Chelsea

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Giveaway

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Triple Play by Sloan Johnson
Homeruns #3
Publication Date: September 29, 2015
Genres: Contemporary, M/M, Romance, Sports

Drew Jackson seemed to have it all. He has a family who loves and supports him, a tight circle of friends, and is a rising star with the Milwaukee Mavericks. Then, it all begins to unravel. Cam, the only man he’s ever loved, falls head over heels for Drew’s teammate. He makes a critical mistake in the playoffs that he’s not sure he’ll be able to recover from. And then, his world really crashes around him…

Eric Sapp may no longer play for the Mavericks, but he’s still one of the guys. No one could have imagined how much his life would change when he agreed to help his former teammates mourn the end of their run for the pennant. After stopping a brutal attack, Eric is forced to face the feelings that’ve been growing for his roommate, Drew. That’d be much easier if Drew wasn’t hell-bent on pushing everyone away as he recovers.

Neither of them were counting on Bryce Shaw. He and Drew enjoyed the one night they spent together, but knew it was unlikely they’d be anything more since they lived in different parts of the country. After Bryce is relocated to help a failing LGBT homeless outreach, he wants to explore something more with the Mavericks’ short stop.

As much as Eric wishes he could be the one to help his friend, he knows Bryce holds the key to Drew’s recovery. Will pushing the two back together be the biggest mistake of his life or will they all learn there is strength in numbers?

Also in the Series

Amazon

There’s never been any question in Sean Tucker’s mind that he’d do whatever it took to make it to the major leagues and be one of the best pitchers of his time. The day he acknowledged to himself that he was gay was also the day he vowed to stay in the closet in order to chase his dreams. The problem is, he never counted on Mason Atley.

Sean showed rookie short stop Mason Atley the ropes, both on the field and off. The two forged a friendship which continued as both of them moved through the ranks of the farm system and into the majors. Unfortunately, there’s always been one secret Mason never felt he could share with Sean. Until now.

For seven years, Sean lived with the fact that he loved a man who would never reciprocate. When Mason admits that he’s always known he’s bisexual but has never allowed himself to pursue a relationship with a man, will Sean be able to put aside his reservations about starting a relationship with the friend he’d always assumed was straight? And more importantly, will they be able to find a way to stay together when their careers keep them apart more than they can be together?

Amazon

Jason Klein’s living with the fallout from a decision he knew was the right one at the time. He never told anyone about the love of his life, which left him to mourn alone when he found out the man he gave his heart to had been killed in combat. Now, his heart has had time to heal, but he’s not sure he’s ready to let himself move on. Until he meets Cam Morgan…

Without a job lined up following graduation, Cam Morgan took his best friend up on his offer to move to Milwaukee and stay with him until he could get on his feet. The last thing he wanted to do the day after getting to town was go to a party filled with a bunch of jocks. Sure, they were “professional athletes” but Cam was convinced that bigger bank accounts didn’t make them any more accepting of people like him. He certainly didn’t expect to meet Jason, the Mavericks’ catcher who broke every stereotype he’d had.

What started out as one hot, sweaty night together quickly grows into something deeper. Jason welcomes Cam into his home and his life, but now he has to teach the younger man that it’s not a sign of weakness to let people help you.

About Sloan Johnson

Sloan Johnson is a big city girl trapped in a country girl’s life. While she longs for the hustle and bustle of New York City or Las Vegas, she hasn’t yet figured out how to sit on the deck with her morning coffee, watching the deer and wild turkeys in the fields while surrounded by concrete and glass.

When she was three, her parents received their first call from the principal asking them to pick her up from school. Apparently, if you aren’t enrolled, you can’t attend classes, even in Kindergarten. The next week, she was in preschool and started plotting her first story soon after.

Later in life, her parents needed to do something to help their socially awkward, uncoordinated child come out of her shell and figured there was no better place than a bar on Wednesday nights. It’s a good thing they did because this is where she found her love of reading and writing. Who needs socialization when you can sit alone in your bedroom with a good book?

Now, Sloan is a tattooed mom with a mohawk and two kids. She’s been kicked out of the PTA in two school districts and is no longer asked to help with fundraisers because she’s been known to lose herself with a good book and forget she has somewhere to be.

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Summary

What he wants he gets…

Knox Masters is a quarterback’s worst nightmare. Warrior. Champion. And…virgin. Knox knows what he wants–and he gets it. All American Football player? Check. NFL pros scouting him? Check. Now, he’s set his sight on two things. The national title. And Ellie Campbell. Sure, she’s the sister of his fellow teammate, but that’s not going to stop him. Especially not when he’s convinced Ellie is the one.

…but he’s never met her before.

But Ellie isn’t as sure. She’s trying to start a new life and she’s not interested in a relationship…with anyone. Beside it’s not just her cardinal rule of never dating her brother’s teammates that keeps her away, but Ellie has a dark secret that would jeopardize everything Knox is pursuing.

Knox has no intention of losing. Ellie has no intention of giving in.

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Review

Sports romances are my go to books – there’s something about my love of both of those topics that makes it the perfect combination, and when it’s done well, with great main characters and an even amount of action on and off the field, it doesn’t get any better for me.

That kind of story is exactly what I found when I read Sacked by Jen Frederick – Knox Masters and Ellie Campbell are a fantastic pair who share the love of football, their siblings, and eventually one another, but there’s more at stake for Knox and Ellie than winning the next game, making the right grade, or finding time to be together during the football season, and that’s why this book is so much more than your typical college sports romance story.

Even with the insta-love and the whole idea of a star college football player being a virgin, which would seem unrealistic to many, Sacked was a fantastic read because Frederick moved beyond those cliched ideas and took them deeper, proving and developing the reasons behind them and allowing readers to buy into them.

Sacked is about so much more than Knox and Ellie’s relationship; it illustrates what a football team does for one another: the sacrifices, the encouragement, camaraderie. It shows the drive college athletes need to have to be the best and the dedication required to juggle everything that’s thrown at them when they’re treated as gods of the gridiron. Readers also are led to understand how far people are willing to go to ensure that failure does not become an option when the game is on the line. 

Knox is the quintessential college football athlete in that he lives and breathes the game, but he definitely values more in life than what he can get by being the star. He’s the complete package, and he’s driven to get everything he wants and when part of what he wants is Ellie, he’ll stop at nothing to have her – in all ways.

Ellie’s not a football groupie, but she knows and loves the game, and she has her brother to thank for that knowledge. She’s sworn off football players, so she fights her attraction to Knox, but his persistence pays off, and what transpires is a relationship filled with hot sex, witty banter, and a connection that is too good to deny, but there’s a bigger picture issue that Ellie doesn’t have the nerve to reveal and it just might be the end to more than her relationship with Knox.

Sacked is sports romance at its finest. Jen Frederick created fantastic leading characters in Knox and Ellie and then surrounded them with a group of friends that brought laughs and fun with them.

Sacked is definitely a must read.

A complimentary copy was provided by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 Poison Apples

♡ ONE NEW COUPLE

♡ TWO NEW BOOKS

♡ A STORY OF TAINTED LOVE

BLOW (book 1) will release on September 21st, 2015

Add to your TBR at: http://bit.ly/1Jg9zCr

CRUSH (book 2) will release on November 16th, 2015

Add to your TBR: http://bit.ly/1URdb1

Blurb

2 fatal sides.

1 epic love.

7 days to survive.

They met in the face of danger. They weren’t looking for love. They both knew better. But they couldn’t stay away, and they fell hard.

He is heart-stopping handsome, fearless—and haunted by deadly ties.

She is breathtakingly beautiful, determined—and in harm’s way.

They should have parted. They didn’t. They never should have fucked. They did. And now time is running out. One hundred sixty eight hours. That’s all that remains. While Logan McPherson fights to save them, Elle Sterling is forced to make a choice that could change everything.

When torn between right and wrong, tainted love doesn’t have a chance…or does it?  ‪#‎taintedlove‬ ‪#‎weshouldhaveknownbetter‬

About the Author

I live in Florida with my husband and four kids. I’ve always had a love for reading books and writing. Being an English major in college, I wanted to teach at the college level but that was not to be. I went on to receive an MBA and became a project manager until quitting to raise my family. I currently work part-time with my husband and full-time embracing one of my biggest passions—writing.

Stalk Her:  

Website:  http://www.authorkimkarr.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorkimkarr

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6644044.Kim_Karr

Jackson and Sylvia are back in the third and final part of J. Kenner’s sizzling erotic trilogy.

You definitely don’t want to miss how their story ends!

About UNDER MY SKIN

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Find out more about the first book, SAY MY NAME: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iTunes | Google Play

Review

I’ve loved Sylvia and Jackson’s story, and while there is definitely a lot coming down on their shoulders in Under My Skin, I love that the central focus of the story is on Sylvia and Jackson fighting for one another even when they’re pushed away or closed off. From the very beginning, J. Kenner proved that the only way those two can survive their pasts as well as the chaos of their present is by working together, communicating with each other, and in their own ways, using each other’s bodies.

Kenner has illustrated from readers’ first introduction to Jackson Steele that he is a man who needs control; he survives and thrives on it because it makes his life cohesive, but in the final book of the Starks International Trilogy, there are so many things out of his control and that feeling has him on tilt because he’s forced to put his fate in the hands of people who may just want to tear him down.

Sylvia’s finally stopped running, but now she’s afraid that she’ll lose Jackson to the shadows, which is something she refuses to allow to happen. Sylvia proves how strong of a woman she is in Under My Skin; she shows why she’s the only woman for Jackson because regardless of the what ifs and screw ups, Jackson is her safe place…her home, and she knows he feels the same way about her; she just needs to remind him what she can do for him.

Once again, J. Kenner creates a dynamic couple who refuse to give up on one another and who will fight like hell to be together despite everything and everyone who is fighting against them.

The Stark International setting is a world I would gladly remain in because Kenner does such an amazing job to bring it to life in both the business and societal realms. Damien and Nikki and Jackson and Sylvia are fascinated characters in a wonderfully crafted society – one that oozes money, sex, and drama, and Kenner delivers in all aspects in the conclusion of Jackson and Sylvia’s story.

A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 Poison Apples

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.

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Adored. Cherished. Worshiped.

Bryce Randolph accomplished the impossible when he stormed back into my life. He repaired my shattered heart and promised to love me

forever. My dreams now include a future with the man I’ve loved since I was twelve years old. He owns

my soul, and a life without each other is not an option.

Sometimes, though, even the strongest bonds are tested.

How much am I willing to give up for the love of my life?

Ambition. Passion. Commitment.

As we chase our dreams, distance separates us, threatening to shake our

foundation. Jealousy and insecurities unravel my confidence, but Bryce’s

devotion never falters. When we’re faced with tough choices regarding our life together, I’m forced to rely on his unwavering strength.

Can we both have it all?

Then the unthinkable happens. Now, it’s my turn to fight for our happily

ever after. Are we falling apart after finding our way, or are we…

Staying on Course

AMAZON

Ahren spent her formative years living in an active volcano. There her family made collectible lava art. She studied rock collecting at the Sorbonne in France. There she met the love of her life-her pet pig Sybil. She returned to the states and started writing. She is happily married to a guy who used to live under a bridge and she met while pole-dancing. They have one amazing daughter.
Now, meet the real me. I grew up in the south and consider myself a true “Southerner”. Most of the special locations mentioned in my books are reflections of my favorite places. Living on the Florida coast, my family spends a lot time at the beach which is where I usually can be found with a book in my hand. I started writing my Surrender Series, in the spring of 2013 and have received incredible support from the Indie community. Throughout this year, I have been privileged to meet some amazing people that I am thankful to have in my life.

Visit me online:
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Click on link below to join my mailing list!
http://eepurl.com/S4RI9

Hosted By:

Title: Thick Love (Thin Love, #2)
Author: Eden Butler
Genre: NA | Contemporary Romance
Release Date: August 31, 2015
Hosted by As the Pages Turn

Synopsis

He doesn’t ask their names.

He doesn’t deserve to know them.

Ransom Riley Hale’s friends think his life is charmed: first string as a freshman on a championship-winning college football team. A father with two Super Bowl rings. A mother with platinum albums and multiple Grammies under her belt. But that brilliant shine on the surface hides the darkness beneath; it’s all Ransom has ever known.

Despite the shadows he walked in, once there was a blinding light fracturing the darkness. It brought the promise of hope and happiness. He’d been careless, filled with pride and stupidity and lost that light. Ripped it from the world.

Now, the shadows are dimming again. Aly King surges into his life threatening to pull him from the darkness. She is everything Ransom can never be again. Her light feels too warm, promises him that there is more waiting for him beyond the shadows.

But the shadows are relentless, resurfacing when he thinks he is safe, and Ransom knows he must keep Aly from them too before he pulls her down into the darkness with him.

Purchase Thick Love

 Amazon | Amazon UK | B&N | Kobo | iTunes

Review

I adore Eden Butler’s writing; there’s something quite lyrical about it, which allows for a smooth read, and the way Butler develops her characters leads readers to truly understand them to their core, which is essential in Ransom and Aly’s story because there’s an immense amount of inner turmoil that both characters experience and in order to grasp all of the self inflicted torment, readers must be aware of what makes the characters who they are – their past experiences, their current mental state, and their innermost feelings.

Ever since I met Ransom in Thin Love, I hoped Butler would write his story, and she did – every tortured, guilt ridden moment of his young adult life is illustrated in Thick Love, and the title exudes Ransom’s book because his thick love nearly destroys him; his parents thick love for Ransom holds him somewhat together, and Aly’s thick love for herself leads her to make difficult decisions – ones that affect way more than just her.

In a way, the ups and downs of Aly and Ransom’s friendship/relationship plays out like a dance – there’s a push and pull between them…a give and take, where sometimes Ransom leads and other times, he needs to be led because his footwork, his mental state of moving forward, can’t quite take him where he needs to go in order to heal.

Butler ensures that readers have a clear perception of Ransom’s state of mind by using his own internal musings and allowing us a clear picture of all that he deals with on a daily basis. The ghost of his past continually haunts him and puts him in a state where the voice inside his head, which I truly believe is his own not who he perceives it to be, taunts him, punishing him for his actions and forcing him to continue to only exist not truly live. Ransom’s feelings of shame, guilt, heartache, and rage resonate off of the pages; readers feel every dark and twisted emotion that travels through Ransom’s thoughts, and we can’t help but want to hug him and shake him at the same time because while what he’s feeling is perfectly natural for the events that occurred, he can’t see what’s standing right in front of him, trying to help him heal and hoping he’ll stop punishing himself.

I absolutely adore badass heroines, and Aly King has more strength and perseverance than so many people who have been through far less than she has in her young life. She doesn’t allow Ransom to deflect or use her as his punching bag. She stands up for herself like she has done for many years, living on her own terms, but there is a softer side of Aly – one that sacrifices herself for everyone else, and while she refuses to chase Ransom, she also doesn’t push for what she wants and needs because she’s used to be in the background.

There are so many lessons to be learned through Ransom and Aly’s journey in Thick Love, and readers witness both of them struggling to understand how to free themselves from the past and feel worthy regardless of the events that happened. Although I’m not particularly happy with how Butler ended Thick Love, I understand why she chose to do so; Ransom and Aly’s relationship was just beginning to develop, but there is still a lot of work to be done, especially because they aren’t necessarily moving in the same direction with what they want to achieve.

And so Ransom and Aly’s complicated dance continues, and readers will have to wait and see if the voices holding them back will be completely dealt with so that they can be free to love each other with nothing standing in their way.

A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

5 poison apples

Excerpt

“Dance with me,” I said. He only stared up at me blankly.

“I don’t feel like practicing.”

“I’m not asking you to practice. I’m asking you to dance.”

Ransom’s body stiffened when I picked up his hand, but he didn’t fight me. “Just be here with me. Me and you and the music.”

We came together in the center of my living room with that slow, soothing music wrapping around us. There was no Kizomba, no prequel to a seduction we both wanted to avoid. There was just Ransom bending low, arms around me, hand taking mine to hold against his chest. After a few seconds, the tension lessened, and his body did not feel as rigid. It felt peaceful, and safe, and simple—just two people, holding each other, swaying to the music.

His mouth hovered near my forehead and as we moved together with no form or practiced steps, Ransom’s grip on my waist got tighter. “I wish I could breathe again. I want that so bad.” The words were whispered, low.

I closed my eyes, reminding myself that I couldn’t touch him.

“Ransom. You can.”

He looked down at me and right then I saw just how lost he was. This realization didn’t come from flippant comments he made to me or desperate excuses I overheard him make. It was all there right in his eyes—the loneliness, the pain, as though each mistake he’d made was etched into the rise of his cheekbones and the worried, faint lines on his forehead. He was still drifting; he had been drifting for so damn long.

The pain in his eyes drew me in. There was nothing I could say that would make his hurt lessen. There was nothing that would take him from the lingering sorrow he’d created for himself. So I didn’t speak, didn’t give him advice I knew he’d never take. I just watched Ransom’s eyes, and felt the slow way he moved. And then with my hand on the back of his neck, I pulled his face towards me, I took his lips, kissing him, pouring into that kiss everything I’d held back from him since we first met.

This is who I am. This is what I want. That voice came from someplace hidden and secret inside me.

It was minutes, minutes of nothing but my mouth on his, nothing but two people finding solace in each other, before

I realized I’d messed up.

He didn’t seem to want me to pull away, but didn’t stop me when I did. Shaking my head, I smoothed the collar on his shirt, unable to look at him. “I’m…modi, Ransom, I’m sorry.”

Ransom pulled my chin up and smoothed his thumb over my cheek, down the slope of my chin before he returned his attention to my eyes. “I don’t think I am.”

It was a moment I thought I’d always wanted. Him looking at me like I was real, like he saw me, finally saw me. I’d seen that look once before, just as Ransom whispered my name and kissed me over and over the first time. It wasn’t the look of someone hopeless. It was open and raw and I realized right then that I’d give anything for Ransom to never stop looking at me.

But this was against our rules. This wasn’t how we were supposed to be. I took his hand, thought of pulling it away from my face but didn’t have the strength, liked how it felt on my face too much. “Friends don’t kiss, Ransom.”

A small nod, and his eyes narrowed. His grip around me tightened. The music around us swelled. “No, they don’t,” he said, still touching my face, inching closer and I knew, right then, he was definitely not my friend.

Books in the Thin Love Series

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About Eden Butler

Eden Butler is an editor and writer of New Adult Romance and SciFi and Fantasy novels and the nine-times great-granddaughter of an honest-to-God English pirate. This could explain her affinity for rule breaking and rum. Her debut novel, a New Adult, Contemporary (no cliffie) Romance, “Chasing Serenity” launched in October 2013 and quickly became an Amazon bestseller.

When she’s not writing or wondering about her possibly Jack Sparrowesque ancestor, Eden edits, reads and spends way too much time watching rugby, Doctor Who and New Orleans Saints football.

She is currently imprisoned under teenage rule alongside her husband in southeast Louisiana.

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