This week we have the awesome Lynetta Halat, Denise Grover Swank as our featured authors, and we are spotlighting the official blog Candy Coated Book Blog. Enjoy!
Title: Every Rose
Author: Lynetta Halat
Synopsis--
What do you do when you realize you were foolish enough to throw away true, unconditional love?
Lorraina Dabney turns her back on her creativity and tumultuous upbringing to embark on a college career that will lead her to law school and to becoming what she values most in life—a controlled, powerful, respected woman. When she stumbles upon her childhood friend's artwork, she feels inspired to reconnect with him and her former self. This onslaught of emotion will send Lorraina in a tale-spin to figure out exactly why she abandoned all that she was, all that she could've been.
Coming from his own chaotic upbringing, Michael falls quickly and deeply in love with Lorraina at a tender age. Even her rejection can't stand in the way of his obsession. When she starts to date other boys, however, Michael finally relents, causing him to spiral further into a world filled with violence, drugs, alcohol, and women. Realizing that this lifestyle will only lead to his further estrangement from Lorraina, Michael sets about to turn himself around before going to get his girl. Michael Bang will have Lorraina questioning everything.
Teaser--
Michael hops out of his still running Jeep, and I can hear “Desperado” pouring out of his speakers. He makes his way back to my car, and I get out and lean on my door. He puts his hands in his pockets, pushing them down into fists and looks at me shyly. We just spent the entire night together and he’s shy! Typical Michael and his contradictory nature.
“When can I see you again?” I ask. I’m done being coy and shy and nonchalant. I know what I want and I’m going to get it. Afraid he may see all that in my eyes, I look away a little.
“When do you want to see me again?” Oh, who’s playing coy now, Mr. Bang?
“Well, I’ll be home for spring break,” I tease and glance at him.
The look on his face says he’s done with coy. Good! Got his attention! “This afternoon?”
“I can’t wait,” I declare. “So, what is this?” I gesture between the two of us. “Is it safe to say that we are dating or that we are boyfriend/girlfriend?” I bite my lip. I couldn’t resist asking; but now that I have, I fear his response.
He shakes his head and grins at me. I fight the sudden urge to run my hands through that silky midnight hair of his. “Always so quick to label and categorize.I guess that’s what will make you an excellent attorney. Assess. Label. Categorize. Add up the W’s. ” He leans in a little and whispers, “How about we just go with the flow? See where it leads us. Label later?” He raises his brows, offering my type-A dominant personality a direct challenge.
Caution to the wind, very atypical for me, I reply, “OK. I’m up for it.” Challenge accepted. “You?” Challenge returned.
“You bet, Lorraina,” he rasps softly.
He leans into my door and places his hands on top of mine. I’m suddenly quite anxious and ever so grateful for the door between us. My hands get clammy and my heart races. Blood races and pounds in my ears, making me feel very much awake now. One hand moves up to brush my hair from my forehead and moves down feather light until his knuckles brush across my cheekbone and lips. He pulls his thumb slowly across my lips. It’s excruciating. It’s exquisite.
Both of his hands come forward to frame my face gently, and he pulls me in for a kiss. A too quick kiss. It’s over before I realize it’s even begun. He gives me a half smile and turns and walks away.
“Michael!” My voice barely sounds human. More animal in nature. It’s raw with ache.
He turns and takes two long strides back to me. This time when he grasps my head it’s anything but gentle. He pulls my lip in and nudges my lips open with his. All rational thought escapes me. I mirror his grasp and enjoy the fullness I feel with him in my mouth. I give as good as I get. This kiss is nothing like our two before. I savor it. When he turns to walk away, I release a long pent up breath. If he would’ve looked back, he would’ve seen that I was the one on my knees now
Author Bio
For as long as she can remember, Lynetta Halat has lived to read and has written countless stories and plays since she was a young girl. A teacher by day and an avid reader and closet writer by night, she has always dreamt of penning books that people could connect with and remember; and her first novel, Every Rose, is the perfect catalyst to launch her into the world of publishing. Her love of the English language prompted her to pursue a master's degree in English from Old Dominion University in Virginia. A self-proclaimed "Coast Girl," she lives in Mississippi with her adorable husband, two amazing sons, and two loveable dogs. She is currently at work on her second book.
Links
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Excerpt Redesigned
I can honestly say I don’t feel the same. If someone had told me a week ago this would be my response, I would have called them crazy. The only thing I feel at the moment is disgust. Disgust with Dylan but also with myself. I let Dylan’s family money and status fool me. I try not to let my body stiffen as Dylan’s hand begins to slide up the curve of my waist, inching higher. I reach for his hand and pull it down. I just need to make it through this dance and then I’m going home. Who the hell cares what Reed Pendergraft thinks?
But Dylan doesn’t like my redirection and pins my hand between his chest and mine. When I try to pull back, his grip around my back tightens and he looks down at me with a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. “Where’re you goin’, Caroline? I thought you wanted to be with me. Isn’t that why you had Tucker set us up?”
I’m livid with Tucker, but then I realize Tucker would never tell Dylan what he’d done. He might tease me, but he respects me too much to betray my trust. Not to mention that he’d never risk Scarlett’s wrath.
Dylan must have read my mind. “Fuck no, Tucker didn’t tell me. I overheard you, baby. But not to worry. You’ve got me now. I’m all yours.” He grinds his pelvis into mine to show me how much of him I get.
His hold on me tightens enough that I’ll have to make a scene to get away from him. It’s not ideal, but I’ll do it before I let this shithead get away with molesting me any more than he already has. I’m about to forcefully insist he release me when someone interrupts.
“I’d like to have this dance.” Reed stands to my right and it’s not a question. It’s an order.
Dylan stops swaying. “Can’t you see we’re busy?”
Reed stares at Dylan, and I’m surprised Dylan hasn’t curled up into the fetal position under his scrutiny. “I spoke to Caroline, not you.” His gaze turns to me. His eyes are deadly cold, but I know his anger isn’t directed at me. Well, most of it. “Caroline, would you like to dance?”
I nod, shocked into silence.
Reed pushes Dylan’s hand off my waist and takes me into his arms. Dylan stares, probably wondering what in the hell happened.
I’m wondering the same thing.
The raw power rolling off Reed’s body makes my knees weak and I stumble, but Reed’s arm tightens around my waist until I’m steady on my feet.
Reed lowers his face next to mine. “Did he hurt you?”
I shake my head. “No, of course not.”
“Are you saying he didn’t have you trapped against him when I showed up?”
“Well, yes,” I say in annoyance. “But the only thing hurt is my pride. I’m embarrassed, although I’m not sure why. I didn’t do anything wrong.”
He leans his head back to look at my face and relief mixes with something that looks like respect. “You’re right. I’ve never understood a misogynistic society that shames the woman for a man’s boorish behavior.”
His speech is the first sign I’ve seen tonight to remind me that he’s really a nerd at heart. Moments ago, he was anything but. My pulse pounds in my temple, and my skin tingles where we touch. I’ve never wanted a man to touch me as much as I want to be in Reed’s arms right now. I look into his face and wonder why I’m wasting time fighting this reaction to him.
And then he speaks.
“Although, I’m not sure you’re one hundred percent inculpable here. You seem experienced enough to recognize an asshole like Dylan.”
I’m not sure what to be most outraged about: that he finds me partially responsible for what happened or his slam against my reputation. “Excuse me?”
“When you play with fire, you’re liable to get burned. Even children know this platitude.”
Just when I think he can’t get worse, he proves me wrong.
I try to break free of his hold but his arm keeps me in place.
“Aren’t you doing the same thing you just called Dylan out for?” I seethe.
His eyes darken. “The difference is you want to be here with me.”
I want to call him a liar, but I’m too busy staring at his lips and wishing they’d do something else other than talk.
His arm falls from my waist and he lifts his hand to my face, tilting my head back so he has full access to my mouth. He stares into my eyes, his own a blaze of desire.
My breath comes in short pants as my stomach tightens and other parts of me throb. I want him to kiss me, more than I’ve ever wanted anything. Ever.
He leans down, his lips inches from mine, and his hands drop so that the only thing holding us together is pure want.
“I think I’ve proved my point,” he murmurs into my ear.
Author's Bio
You can find out more about Denise and her other books at:
Website
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Finally, this week, we have the girls of Candy Coated Book Blog, one of the official bloggers for the SAE.
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So do stop by and visit with us! We love hearing from our readers, and we love helping out all of our authors! If we know you are coming we’ll bake a cake!
So do stop by and visit with us! We love hearing from our readers, and we love helping out all of our authors! If we know you are coming we’ll bake a cake!
Description
I’m Doll. I’ve always loved to read and when I discovered there were others out there who loved it the way I do…Whoopie!
Chick and I decided to start this blog to promote the authors we love, review the books we enjoy and share our wonderful fun and wit with you all!
I’m Chick. If I didn’t have my Kindle..I’d be lost. It’s like another limb! I wouldn’t be able to function without it.
We’re a fun blog and we like to keep things light. We take care of our authors and our followers and we have a good time while we do it!
I'm J! I didn't get into reading until high school and then it took off! I can be found during my breaks and lunch reading. I don't think my coworkers would know what to do if I didn't have a book or my kindle app open! I love that Chick and Doll have invited me to join them in the fun! My favorite genre's are Young Adult, YA Dystopian, Romance, and Paranormal Romance!
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