Cover Design: Kari Ayasha of Cover to Cover Designs
Photography: Scott Hoover
Model: Stuart Reardon
Release Date: January 14, 2016
Blurb
Mia Darcy plays by the rules, and her Daddy, Samuel, for better or worse has made them all. She takes care of her ailing mother, she manages PR for the family’s distillery, Fire Creek. And every day she quietly resents the fact that he stepped in and kept her from being with the one man she loved… a man who still lives there in their small town of Fontaine, Kentucky and who haunts her every minute of the day, waking or asleep.
Bennett Hayes has loved Mia his whole life, and for one brief moment, when they were young and full of hope, it seemed like even the long history of bad blood between their families wasn’t enough to keep them apart. But he’d been wrong. Mia never showed the night they were supposed to run away together and when he confronted her about it, she broke his heart.
But fate and circumstance throw them together again and the fire that raged between them at eighteen is even hotter now. The burn is inevitable. But there are forces at play, people on the periphery of their lives whose agenda goes far beyond just keeping them apart… they want Mia dead and will stop at nothing to make that happen.
Seraphina Donavan is a hopeless romantic with a wicked & occasionally dirty mind! Those things, combined with her love of writing, prompted her to take the leap and transform those fantasies into written words on a page. As a curvy girl herself, Seraphina has made it a point to celebrate those women with delicious curves with her work through writing and the hot men who love them.
She currently has 18 published books and one anthology and is working on many more.
Living in Central Kentucky, Seraphina spends her time rescuing stray animals, working for a non-profit agency and dreaming of becoming a best-selling author. She lives in a home that has more character than working parts and enjoys spending time with her fur babies. Feel free to contact her with any questions or thoughts on your mind.. She loves connecting with her readers & hearing from anyone!
A long time reader of historical romance, Seraphina writes Paranormal Regency Romance as Chasity Bowlin.
He means so much to me, but he shouldn’t. He can’t. I can’t let him in.
He is darkness personified.
Everything I believe in and stand for is everything he hates.
Nothing matters to him. He loves nothing and no one… Except me.
I hate who he is and what he does, but I can’t hate him.
He is my curse.
He says I’m his salvation.
Am I strong enough to follow my heart when my head screams at me to do the opposite?
What price am I willing to pay to save Gabrial DeLucca from everyone, including himself?
Author Bio
Skye Turner is an avid reader and an editor turned International Bestselling Author of the Sexy Adult Romance series Bayou Stix, the Romantic Suspense series James Black, and the Erotic Romance Short Story Serial, Dear Diary.
She attended Southeastern Louisiana University and Louisiana State University where she majored in Mass Communications, centering her studies in Journalism. Unfortunately, life intervened and she never finished her studies.
She lives in small town Louisiana with her husband, two children, and six fur babies.
When she’s not chained to her laptop pounding out sexy stories she can usually be found playing ‘Supermom’, reading, gardening (playing in the dirt), listening to music and dancing like a fool, cooking, baking, crafting, or spending time with those most important to her.
She loves to incorporate pieces of her home state of Louisiana into her writing.
I believed in sex, once upon a time. And passion. But now my life as a single, divorced career girl living alone in New York City was all about work. I hadn’t had a date in years.
But then he came along . . . Alexandre Chevalier. The French CEO billionaire of HookedUp, the social media phenomenon that had taken the world by storm.
He was the most beautiful man I’d ever seen, and with eyes so green they seared into my soul.
Like a flash of lighting he struck me down . . . his touch was electric, and I knew my life was irrevocably changed. I’d never be the same again.
He awakened every fiber of my being, ignited every cell in my body.
And just when I thought things couldn’t be more perfect . . .
It all came crashing down.
******
I’d had it with all the crazy women in my life: the models, the movie stars, even my power-hungry sister and business partner. If you’d had a past like mine, you’d understand.
I just wanted a normal relationship with a normal woman . . .
And then I met her . . . Pearl Robinson.
She was perfect for me.
Or so I thought.
But I was in for a shocking surprise when I found out the truth . . .
Of who she really was.
******
HOOKED UP is a series of three, full-length novels averaging 300+ print pages each, to be released at intervals of one month and three weeks.
Disclaimer: If your e-reader should melt while reading this series, the author cannot be held responsible.
Pearl fans take note: this is a new, reedited version of the Pearl books, told in dual POV throughout. The series is primarily for NEW readers, or those who would like to immerse themselves, once again, in Pearl and Alexandre’s passionate love story, so please do not expect a new storyline.
ARIANNE RICHMONDE is the USA TODAY bestselling author of the suspense novel STOLEN GRACE, and The Pearl Series books.
She lives in the French countryside amidst vineyards, with her wonderful French husband, two dogs, two cats, and other creatures that try to sneak their way into their old, stone farmhouse, which the couple restored themselves. On most days, you’ll find Arianne cleaning sixteen paws worth of mud off the floors . . . that’s when she’s not immersed in creating lovable but dysfunctional characters for her novels (and a villain or two), while sipping Bordeaux paired with dark chocolate.
You can join her mailing list to win prizes and receive sneak peaks of her upcoming books: http://goo.gl/zo6ugG (copy and paste to your browser). Or join her on Facebook: facebook.com/AuthorArianneRichmonde or Twitter: @A_Richmonde – she loves to hear from readers.
An assignment has just turned interesting for GFI investigator Malachi Whitetail. When a shy, mousy woman walks into his local diner, it takes him a minute to recognize her as an employee of the real estate office he’s been monitoring. Not a believer in coincidence, Mal decides a closer look at the short brunette might be warranted. It will be the first, but certainly not the last time, he finds himself coming to her rescue.
Kimeo Lowe leads a pretty quiet existence, which is why, when she ends up a witness to a crime, her curiosity into her boss’s suspected shady dealings gets kicked into high gear. She may not be the most sociable of people, but she’s always been independent and industrious, so when an opportunity to dig a little deeper arises, she doesn’t think twice. It would seem that this time she’s bitten off a bit more than she can chew, and when a freakishly tall Native American Adonis intervenes not just once, she decides sleuthing may be best left to professionals. But it’s a bit too late.
Just when life has settled into a comfortable routine, Kim finds herself dealing with not just one, but two threats on her life. With every turn there are new challenges to face, and Mal is not about to let her face them alone. Not even when he turns out to be no match for her most dangerous enemy.
“I’ll have a chicken salad and a glass of water, please.” Her voice is as timid as her appearance. Like a little mouse, she slipped in behind me and sat down at the furthest booth. Shocked, I tried my best not to display any reaction to her showing up here. I never expected to have one of the people I’ve been keeping an eye on show up at Arlene’s Diner. Sure, it’s popular around these parts, but given that I live in the apartment above and take most my meals here, it feels like more than a coincidence. This is why I’m keeping my back turned and my ears perked.
Arlene tags her the minute she comes out of the kitchen and is taking her order. Fucking chicken salad and water, who lives on that? I’ve had reason to keep her in my sights since taking on this assignment, and the woman rarely eats more than that from what I’ve seen. Seems to feel comfortable in the real estate office she works in, but the moment she steps out, she seems to want to disappear in the shadows. Head always low, never making eye contact and wrapping herself up in that godawful blanket thing—some kind of poncho.
It’s her boss I’m really keeping track of. Gus got a call from the Ute Reservation a few weeks ago. The council had concerns about two farms backing onto reservation lands. The chief mentioned that both had sold within a month of the other through Martin Vedica, the little mouse’s boss, and they had moved out within days. A third farm, owned by an older couple, was being targeted as well. The couple, Ezhno and Tiva Walker, had moved off the reservation some thirty years earlier to raise their family. They didn’t go far, since their property backs right onto McElmo Creek near Finley Canyon, which is on reservation lands. In fact, it is wedged between reservation boundaries and the southern border of Canyons of the Ancients National Park.
Gus asked me to keep an eye out and I have, but with Vedica out of town since yesterday, I’d been using the time to do some online digging. So far, I have come up with little to nothing. Keeping my eye on the stainless steel backsplash behind the counter, I can see in the reflection that her face is turned my way. It isn’t busy in the diner right now, being lunchtime, but there are still a few booths occupied. Still I know they are her eyes burning in my back, and I wonder if she could possibly have spotted me before.
Kimeo Lowe. A rather exotic name for the pretty, but unassuming little thing hidden under layers of dark clothing. Soft voice, soft brown eyes, and from what I’ve been able to distinguish, a soft rounded body. Hardly the description for anyone associated with some kind of nefarious real estate deal, but you never know. Looks can be deceiving.
EXCERPT 2
Kim
The moment Mal walks out the door the reality of what happened earlier tonight sets in with a vengeance. Memories of crouching down in the pitch dark, fists stuffed in my mouth while Martin was being murdered on the other side of the door cause my stomach to roll. So much blood. I barely make it to the powder room where I drop to my knees beside the toilet and heave until nothing is left in my stomach. When I sit back I notice it’s dark, not only in the bathroom but there is no light at all. I can’t remember if I turned the lights on or not. I thought I did. At least in the kitchen, but there is no glow under the door.
The shivering starts up again in my limbs and I’m struggling not to hyperventilate. A noise somewhere in the house startles me and my heart starts hammering in my chest. Afraid to move, I wedge myself further between the toilet and the wall. All I can hear is the sound of my blood rushing in my ears. I squeeze my eyes shut and wrap my arms over my head protectively. When the door opens I make myself even smaller.
“Fuck,” I hear, before I’m yanked up on my feet. I struggle against the big arms surrounding me, but they won’t budge. “Hush, Kimeo. You’re safe.”
The whispered words finally penetrate when a wet nose presses against my hand. “Boo?” The responding licks and distressed doggie whimper pulling me all the way into the here and now. Back into the hallway just outside the bathroom, with Mal holding on tight and Boo pushing his head against my side. I’m home—safe. There are no guys wielding guns here, just Mal and Boo coming back from a walk. Fuck, I’m losing it.
“Let’s go clean up,” Mal’s deep voice rumbles. I finally open my eyes and tilt my head back to find his eyes warm and concerned.
Right. I’m suddenly very aware of the fact I probably have puke-breath. That thought alone is mortifying enough, but add that to my smelly shirt, stringy hair and whatever my face looks like now, and I want the ground to open up and swallow me. Determined to create as much space as possible, I push hard against his chest. He immediately releases his arms and allows me to step back. “I’ll be okay now. You can go home.” I try to make my voice sound firm, but the little hitch in my breath at the end ruins the effect.
“Not happening.” Mal doesn’t seem to have a problem sounding firm. I have no energy to fight him and without another word, I turn and walk to my bedroom, close the door and peel out of all my clothes, tossing them in the hamper on my way into the bathroom. There I turn on the tap until the water runs hot and I numbly step into the shower where I scrub myself raw, the faint light of dawn slipping through my window by the time I’m done.
EXCERPT 3
Mal
“Kimeo, you’ve gotta snap out of this.” At the mention of her full name her eyes finally snap open, looking wild and disoriented. It’s Boo’s soft whimpers from where his head is perched on the pillow next to hers, that seem to pull her back into the here and now.
“What?” Her voice sounds hoarse from the screaming. Turning her face away from Boo, her eyes finally focus on mine and she repeats, “What?”
“You were having a nightmare. Pretty bad from what I could tell. Do you remember?” The confusion seems to disappear from her eyes only to be replaced with horror as she scans my face.
“Oh my God…did I do that?” Her shocked whisper has me raise a hand to my cheek where I feel a slight burn. It comes away bloody and instantly Kim’s eyes fill with tears. “I am so sorry…” Her fingers skim over my face, leaving a cool soothing trail in their wake.
“It’s fine. Just a scratch, honey. You did worse damage to yourself. Let’s get you cleaned up.” Without waiting for an answer, I reluctantly push up from her body and get off the bed, before pulling her off too. My hand firmly on the back of her neck, I guide her into the bathroom where she stares in shock at her reflection.
“I did that?” “Mmm.” I grab a washcloth from the shelf and wet it under the tap before gently wiping her throat while lifting her chin up with my other hand. “It’s not that bad, have a look. Just a scratch,” I reassure her.
“I was in the supply closet and the door opened, but it wasn’t you. Just two eyes behind a mask. He had a knife.” Her body does a full on shiver and against my better judgement, I dump the washcloth in the sink and wrap her tight in my arms. “Just a dream,” I mumble in her hair.
“Yeah, but you rescued me again,” she whispers in my chest before tilting her head back to look at me. “Thank you.”
Fuck me. Those big liquid eyes, plump pouty lips, hell even the red blotches on her nose are impossible to resist. Keeping her gaze trapped with mine, I slant my mouth over hers and on her gasp of surprise, sweep my tongue inside for a taste. Sweet, hot, with a hint of spice—damn. Big mistake.
When I feel the vibrations of her moan against my tongue I know I have to pull back or I’ll lose all control. That moan travels all the way down to my cock and I know there’s no way she missed that pressing in her belly.
Rather abruptly, I push her back by the shoulders. She has a dazed look on her face and I know exactly how she feels. In a last indulgence I run my thumb over her soft bottom lip before completely letting go of her.
“Have a shower. It’ll make you feel better. I’m gonna whip us up some dinner.” With that, I leave a not quite coherent Kim in the bathroom. So much for staying away from her…
This is not going to be a very long, drawn out review but only because there are only so many ways to say how much I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK!!! Freya Barker is one of my favourite authors…ever. I adore her writing style and LIKE ARROWS is now my favourite book in her Cedar Tree series. ~ Kez Korner
After reading Like Arrows by Freya Barker I have now added a new author to my “To be read” list. Kimeo and Malachi’s story sucked me in from the start. I love how she had these characters evolve in a way that brought them together as a strong couple with flaws, but who complimented and boosted each other up. ~ Alphas Do It Better Book Blog
I have read all of Freya Barker’s books in the Cedar Tree series and Like Arrows was freaking amazing. The story was fast paced and easy to read. I was hooked from the first page to the last. ~ Goodreads Review
BLP REVIEWS
REBECCA
Pure Beauty. Pure fucking beauty that spoke to my soul, even got me to shed a tear and we all know I’m the unemotional one of this blogging partnership, the one who is all “yeah it was emotional” while my bestie is a sobbing wreck telling me I have no heart or soul! I think the reason this story touched me so deeply is I’ve been Kimeo, without giving away huge spoilers – because nothing is worse than a review that does that – I’ll just say that the lack of control over aspects of your life due to medical issues, if you’ve lived it, hits deep, body issues and how society dictates and judges hits deep, but when an author is as talented as Ms Barker is at real, REAL characters, people you can see yourself actually knowing…. people you can see YOURSELF in, combined with hot as fuck and romantic to it’s very core, then you have a special and haunting story that stands out from the crowd.
If you’ve read From Dust then you know already that darker and emotional is in Freya’s repertoire. If you’re familiar with the Cedar Tree series you’ve met Mal, you know some of his history and difficult past, so may be expecting that different tone to this one, but when you add Kimeo and her story into the mix it’s heart-breaking perfection. Every ingredient that we’ve come to expect is in here- snappy sassy dialogue, recurring characters, family made by choice – as well as blood – with strong loyalties, hot as fuck sex, real issues not sugar coated or dismissed yet done with such sensitivity and class that it adds to the story while not taking away any of the fantasy we read these alpha romances for ……..and did I remember to mention the HOT AS FUCK sex?!?!?!?!?!!
Freya really puts a lot into the cultivation of her characters and, in this book especially, the heroine. She is a woman that you can relate to in so many, if not all ways. We all have our physical drawbacks and a person in our lives that makes us feel inadequate, but when it’s those who should love and support us unconditionally that do this, then the damage is worse. When Kim finds her backbone I was cheering in my head and twirling pompoms!
“It’s no wonder you two have to put up with each other, with personalities that ugly, It’s no wonder I’m the one standing here with a good man, a decent man“ – I lean in for more emphasis,- “and yes, a gorgeous man at my side. There isn’t a man worth his salt who would put up with such ugliness.” Mal tugs at my hand but I’m not done. “You think you can tell from the outside what a person represents? What their life is like? You think you know by just one look? Well feast your eyes as my fat ugly ass walks away with my amazing boyfriend. And in case you were wondering? He’s hung like a stallion and knows how to use it.”
Mal has his demons as we already know and as the relationship unfolded I was thinking they could fix each other, this is gorgeous, then right at the last quarter of the book a twist gets thrown in that had me unable to put the book down, turning the pages in horror, crying (never, never happens) and thinking no HEA was going to be, WTF is going on, NOOOOOOOOO…………………….
I should have trusted Freya because we get a HEA and it’s beautiful.
Real.
Warts and all.
Life, Karma, Beauty. Total fucking perfection.
“I love all of you Malachi. Each part, every nuance, the dark, the light, the protective, the vigilant, the tender, the wounded-I love them all. Each separately and all combined. There isn’t a part of you I want to hide from or want hidden from me. I love you.”
(**I normally call dibs on all of Freya’s boys but for this one I’m calling dibs on Boo!)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
TRACY
I’ve loved and felt an empathy with the gals from the Cedar Tree series – Freya’s characters are so very real and face troubles and issues that we all know happen in real life – but while reading LIKE ARROWS I really felt a connection with Kimeo.
There’s a few reasons for this I suppose – any and all of which I’m not gonna count out in this review as her issues are a huge part of the story – but I know that there are a lot of people who will understand where our heroine is coming from and the challenges she faces on a daily basis.
Kim was so very down to earth, pulled into a mess that was not her own making and that’s where she first got the interest of Malachi. Now there’s an alpha character who knows how to take care of someone – both physically and emotionally – though Kim was as good for him as he was for her! Now, there’s one thing I’ve got to admit – the first couple of times that Mal came across Kim in person I could happily have gutted the bugger – regardless of what his intentions were!!! – but as hoped, he did redeem himself and I have to say that he’s now one of my top 2 leading men from the CT series.
So much emotion and feeling was experienced throughout the read. We had action and adventure and intrigue that left us not knowing what the hell was gonna happen. A couple of scenes where I could only cheer Kim on and wish that she had that strength and belief in herself always! There was the much loved appearance of family (choice & Blood) and friends – the camaraderie, care and affection between that group of people is heartwarming. The heat, attraction, passion and sexual tension between our main characters was intense.
All in all LIKE ARROWS was one helluva read and I absofuckinlutely adored it!!!
If you’re already a fan of the Cedar Tree series you’ll love this latest instalment. If you haven’t yet visited their little corner of the fictional world you’ll be able to read this wee treasure as a standalone BUT to fully enjoy all that is Cedar Tree and Freya Barker, I’d suggest you take the time to read the previous books in the series before you pick up Malachi & Kimeo’s book.
I rate LIKE ARROWS 5 stars – but this still isn’t enough in my opinion!! *****
About The Author
Author of the popular Cedar Tree series, as well as the critically acclaimed standalone “From Dust,” Freya Barker is driven to make her stories about ‘real’ people; with characters who are perhaps less than perfect, but just as deserving of romance, thrills and chills, and some hot, sizzling sex in their lives.
Recipient of the RomCon “Reader’s Choice” Award for best first book, “Slim To None,” Freya has hit the ground running. She loves nothing more than to meet and mingle with her readers, whether it be online or in person at one of the signings she attends.
With her kids grown and out in the world, Freya has poured her creative energy into spinning story after story with an endless supply of bruised and dented characters, vying for attention!
One shy lost soul. One silent lonely heart. One love to save them both.
Life has never been easy for twenty-year-old Levi Carillo. The youngest of the Carillo boys, Levi is nothing like his older brothers. He isn’t dark in looks or intimidating to everyone he meets. In fact, he’s quite the opposite. Haunted by a crippling shyness and the tragic events of his past, Levi spends his days with his head buried in his books, or training hard for his college football team. Too timid to talk to girls, Levi stays as far away as possible and completely on his own… until he saves the life of a troubled pretty blonde, a troubled pretty blonde that might just be the exception to his rule.
Elsie Hall is homeless. Or at least that’s all anyone ever sees. Everyday is a fight for survival on the cold streets of Seattle, everyday a struggle to find food and keep warm. Alone in life—a life that’s dangerous and cruel—her will to keep going is an ever-losing battle. In her world of silence, Elsie has given up hope that her life will contain anything but constant struggle and pain… until the beautiful boy she has severely wronged comes to her rescue at precisely the right time.
New Adult novel—contains sexual situations and mature topics. Suited for ages 18 and up.
EXCERPT
Elsie grabbed her pen and paper; I took her hand. I walked her out of the pool house to the kitchen door. I opened the door, and Elsie walked through. When she glanced over her shoulder, I said, “I’ll see you tomorrow.” Elsie smiled and walked up the stairs to her room. Just as I was about to shut the door, Lexi appeared from the darkened dining room, a sleeping Dante in her arms.
I opened my mouth to say something when Lexi beat me to it. “Dante woke up for a feed a while ago. I was in the dining room when I saw Elsie run by and leave. I panicked at first thinking she was running away, then I saw you by your pool house. Saw you let her inside.”
My face was on fire as Lexi spoke, rocking my nephew in her arms. I didn’t say anything, but I clearly didn’t need to. “You like her. A lot,” Lexi stated. Unable to lie to my brother’s wife, I nodded my head.
Lexi moved closer. “You’re taking her out tomorrow?”
“Yeah.”
Lexi nodded, then went to walk back up the stairs. Before she did, she turned round, and looked like she wanted to say something, but stopped herself. Needing to know what it was, I questioned, “What?” Lexi looked in the direction of the stairs, in the direction Elsie went, and she said, “I think she’s been through more than we can understand, Lev. I’ve tried to talk to her every day, but she avoids conversation completely.” Lexi sighed and added, “I think she’s really broken inside. Severely. I think there’s something dark in her past that’s haunting her.”
My heart ached, and just as I turned to go back to my room, I whispered, “Then we’re the same. That’s what makes her so special to me.”
“Lev…” I heard Lexi hush out softly, but I was out of the door and into the pool house before she could react. My mind raced with what Lexi said, but it wasn’t anything I couldn’t already see. Elsie didn’t speak, she was too timid and shy. She’d lost her mamma, like I had lost mine. And I could see she was lonely, just like me. Taking off my jacket, I walked to the table to clear away the mugs, when I saw a piece of paper was lying on the top. I wondered what it was. Suddenly I recognized Elsie’s handwriting.
Moving round the table, I dropped to the seat. The paper was folded in two, my name written across the top. My heartbeat picked up speed as I opened the paper. At first I was confused by the centralized column of words, then my heart burst apart when I read a poem that Elsie had written:
Alone and lost, appeared this saint, With pretty gray eyes, darkness can’t taint. He stole her from cold, from blustering storm, Kind and gentle, he took her from harm. Fearful of dark, he created her light, A jar of gold, chasing demons of night. Telling stories of love, he brought to her life, A moment by his side: no pain, no strife. He gifted her poems, a gesture on whim, With every word read, she could see only him. She counted the days until he returned home, The boy with his light, the girl not alone. Invisible to all, a shade wandering in dark, He brought back her faith, with his pure kind heart.
I love poetry, Levi. Thank you for the book. Elsie x
AUTHOR BIO
Amazon & USA Today Best Selling Author, Tillie Cole, is a Northern girl through and through. She originates from a place called Teesside on that little but awesomely sunny (okay I exaggerate) Isle called Great Britain. She was brought up surrounded by her English rose mother — a farmer’s daughter, her crazy Scottish father, a savagely sarcastic sister and a multitude of rescue animals and horses.
Being a scary blend of Scottish and English, Tillie embraces both cultures; her English heritage through her love of HP sauce and freshly made Yorkshire Puddings, and her Scottish which is mostly demonstrated by her frighteningly foul-mouthed episodes of pure rage and her much loved dirty jokes.
Having been born and raised as a Teesside Smoggie, Tillie, at age nineteen, moved forty miles north to the ‘Toon’, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, where she attended Newcastle University and graduat-ed with a Bachelor of Arts honours degree in Religious Studies. She returned two years later to complete a Post-Graduate Certificate in Teaching High School Social Studies. Tillie, regards New-castle to be a home from home and enjoyed the Newcastle Geordie way of life for seven ‘proper mint’ and ‘lush’ years.
One summers day, after finishing reading her thousandth book on her much loved and treasured Kindle, Tillie turned to her husband and declared, “D’you know, I have a great idea for a story. I could write a book.” Several months later, after repeating the same tired line at the close of another completed story, she was scolded by her husband to shut up talking about writing a novel and “just bloody do it!” For the first time in eleven years, Tillie actually took his advice (he is still trying to get over the shock) and immediately set off on a crazy journey, delving deep into her fertile imagina-tion.
Tillie, ever since, has written from the heart. She combines her passion for anything camp and glit-tery with her love of humour and dark brooding men (most often muscled and tattooed – they’re her weakness!). She also has a serious side (believe it or not!) and loves to immerse herself in the complex study of World Religions, History and Cultural Studies and creates fantasy stories that en-able her to thread serious issues and topics into her writing — yep, there’s more to this girl than pro-fanity and sparkles!
After six years of teaching high school Social Studies and following her Professional Rugby Player husband around Europe, they have finally given up their nomadic way of life and settled in Calgary, Alberta where Tillie spends most of her days (and many a late night) lost in a writing euphoria or pursuing a dazzling career as a barrel-racing, tasselled-chap wearing, Stetson-sporting cowgirl… Ye-haw!
How do you protect the one you love from the one who loves you? Touched By Him adds yet another gripping chapter to Aria and Aiden’s tumultuous love story.
Aria Cason’s new life in Belize comes to an abrupt halt when a betrayal forces her to abandon her carefully laid plans. To protect a love she thought she’d never have, Aria makes an impossible decision that places her at the mercy of the man she loves, but desperately wants to hate.
Aiden Raine is determined to bury his love for Aria, but when an unexpected truth is revealed, his world once again collides with hers. As a means to an end, Aiden reluctantly enters a tenuous relationship with the one woman whose betrayal he may never forgive.
Bound by a love they never predicted – Aria and Aiden struggle to coexist in a world that seems too small. They are pulled apart by their need for control yet tormented by a passion they cannot escape.
Betrayal, animosity, love, lust and lies all collide in the third book of The Untouched Series.
UNTOUCHED, first in the series, followed by TOUCHED,TOUCHED BY HIM and ONLY HIS TOUCH …
Untouched is an enthralling story of Aria Cason who has turned her back on love in favor of her career. Aria’s past gives her reason to redirect her life and strictly focus on success; allowing little to no room for anything more.
Every part of Aria’s life is structured and organized, including love and sex, which are always strategically planned until Aiden Wyatt. Aiden surfaces at Raine Publishing House as an intern who, from the initial meeting, causes several side-steps for Aria. Aiden’s extraordinary good looks and commanding demeanor change Aria’s structured world, unlocking feelings that she has vowed to never embrace as he introduces her to a world of intimacy she’s never before experienced. Aiden’s presence ultimately forces her to face past demons and fight to keep the current ones at bay as she realizes that running is never the answer.
Touched, the sequel to the debut novel Untouched, continues with the emotionally provocative journey of Aria Cason and Aiden Wyatt. Aria had meticulously constructed her world- both in the boardroom and in the bedroom. Her life was exactly as she wanted it and everything made sense…before Aiden. After Aiden, was an entirely different story. Aiden’s disarming and unrelenting allure eventually stripped Aria of her protective shield allowing Aiden emotional and sexual access that she’d considered forbidden to any man. Aiden forced emotions to the surface that Aria had rebuked since childhood, touching a part of her that she found disturbingly unfamiliar. She now finds herself in a unique position as she shuffles to regain her balance and reassemble the pieces that Aiden left in his wake. But how will she suppress what Aiden somehow managed to awaken?
Led by career aspirations, Aria reluctantly maneuvers within Aiden’s orbit and their forced pairing eventually hits several hurdles. Is Aria strong enough to fight her instincts and remain in Aiden’s world? Will her initial reservations resurface, confirming her convictions that love can only result in tragedy? Or will Aiden ultimately convince Aria that love isn’t the disaster she always thought? Regardless of the option Aria chooses, Aiden’s past and other secrets will unfold, forcing Aria down a path she never saw coming.
Lilly Wilde is the Author of The Untouched Trilogy (Untouched, Touched and Touched By Him). She is a wife and mom who loves to fill each day with happiness and laughter. Lilly loves to dream, get lost in fantasy and create alternate worlds in which we can escape ever so often. She’s down-to-earth, engaging and compassionate with a great sense of humor. Her laughter is one of the first qualities that you’ll notice; you’ll become instantly drawn to her witty and fun-loving spirit. Lilly spent a lot of time daydreaming as a child which led to numerous hours of reading and eventually the writing of poetry. The first story Lilly began writing was entitled He Lied To Me, a novel she plans to complete in the near future. After years of starting and stopping several novels, she eventually set a goal to complete her debut novel, Untouched. Her stories are of strength, growth, facing demons and stepping outside your comfort zone; they often surround topics of family and love and the beauty of both.
REEVE IS COMING! Meet Reeve & Emily in First Touch releasing December 29th!
Blurb
When Emily Wayborn goes home to visit her mom while on hiatus from her hit TV show, she receives a voicemail from her former best friend, Amber. Though the two were once notorious party girls, they haven’t spoken in years. Although the message might sound benign to anyone else, Amber uses a safe word that Emily recognizes, a word they always used to get out of sticky situations during their wild days. And what’s more chilling than the voicemail: it turns out that Amber has gone missing. Determined to track down her friend, Emily follows a chain of clues that lead her to the enigmatic billionaire Reeve Sallis, a hotelier known for his shady dealings and play boy reputation. Now, in order to find Amber, Emily must seduce Reeve to learn his secrets and discover the whereabouts of her friend. But as she finds herself more entangled with him, she finds she’s drawn to Reeve for more than just his connection to Amber, despite her growing fear that he may be the enemy. When she’s forced to choose where her loyalty lies, how will she decide between saving Amber and saving her heart?
Excerpt
The room began to close in around me, blanketing me with acute heaviness. I drained my champagne in one swallow then set it on a waiter’s tray as I pushed through the crowd and out to the overflow area that had been set up in the parking lot. Once the chill night breeze hit me, I gasped in a deep breath, swallowing the air in long gulps, as though I’d been underwater and had finally reached the surface. With Amber, I’d been a glorified hooker. In Hollywood, wasn’t I pretty much the same thing? I’d simply left one bed to move to another. I chuckled at the paradox. It deserved a laugh, at least. Footsteps sounded behind me, and I stifled the last bit of humor threatening to escape. Without looking over my shoulder, I felt the air change. The hair at the back of my neck bristled and the sting of electricity huddled around me. I turned, somehow knowing what I’d find—who I’d find. He leaned against the concrete doorframe watching me with eyes that pinned me in my place. He was captivating and magnificent, his tux fitting him better than clothing had the right to fit a person, better than any one of the pretty men that filled the room beyond him. Those men, my peers, they were a sea of beautiful—calm and serene. Reeve was the ocean, dark and commanding and turbulent. They moved in gentle waves. Reeve stood still and set the world crashing around him. That easily, the breath I’d just managed to get under control was knocked from my lungs. He spoke before I could regain my composure. “What a coincidence that you’d be at the same event that I’m at.” The boldness of his accusation shocked me into response. “I’m not following you, if that’s what you’re insinuating.” My pulse fluttered in fear, in excitement. In irritation. I didn’t like the way he agitated me. Maybe I’d deserved it at his resort, but this? This was my turf. With a surprising display of fierceness, I locked my eyes to his. “I’m the one who belongs at this event. Not you.” He laughed and the sound of it fueled my indignation. It also sent heat rushing up my thighs, heat that turned my rage inward as well as out. Hands in his pockets, Reeve stepped toward me. “Calm down, Emily. I was only teasing. Of course you aren’t here because of me. Perhaps, I’m here because of you.” He paused long enough for panic to jolt through me with reminders of the ominous words he’d delivered to me the last time we’d seen each other. “Perhaps, this time I’m the one who’s examining.” My anger stepped up another notch, overwhelming my unease. “Examining me? Like, why—to scare me? To see if I’m as fun to mess with when you’re outside the home field? How dare you? Come here, into my world and prod at me just because you feel like it. Proceed to make it your playground. How dare you?” His lip curved into a chiding smile. “Now you know how I felt.” I refused to acknowledge my humiliation, though the flush that swept down my neck more than likely gave it away. “Thank you for the lesson, Mr. Sallis,” I said, my voice surprisingly steady. “I assure you that I have more than gotten the point. You won’t be having to give me any further demonstrations.” I started toward the venue doors, praying I could manage the walk. High heels and weak knees did not make for a good combination. I circled widely around him, wanting to keep as much distance between us as possible. But I could still feel the warmth pulsating off him like the driving beat of a dance club. It trembled through me, coming up from the ground, shaking me, gripping me. I fought through it, forced myself past him. “Emily.” His address caught me mid-stride. Five more feet and I’d be back in the Expo. Just a few more steps… I couldn’t help myself—I stayed. I didn’t turn toward him, though. That was my single act of restraint. “What I did to you at the spa—”His voice was silk and stubble all at once. The texture of the sound, as much as the mention of the spa, was bait on a hook. I practically leaned into his next words. “It wasn’t very nice.” I spun toward him. “You think?” “I like my privacy. I was mad.” It wasn’t an explanation so much as it was a reminder. You provoked me, he was saying. You deserved it. “So you made me think you wanted to kill me?” Admittedly, I had earned his admonishment. I hadn’t earned a death threat. “Eh. I never said I wanted—” I cut him off with a point of my finger. “You did. In every way you could without the specific words.” He opened his mouth as if to defend himself further. Then his expression changed, his features darkened, his eyes gleamed. “Did it scare you?”
“What do you think?” A shiver ran down my spine. He knew he’d scared me. It had been his intent to rile me up, make me afraid. What I hadn’t realized was how much he liked that he had.
About the Author:
Laurelin Paige is the NY Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Fixed Trilogy. She’s a sucker for a good romance and gets giddy anytime there’s kissing, much to the embarrassment of her three daughters. Her husband doesn’t seem to complain, however. When she isn’t reading or writing sexy stories, she’s probably singing, watching Game of Thrones and the Walking Dead, or dreaming of Michael Fassbender. She’s also a proud member of Mensa International though she doesn’t do anything with the organization except use it as material for her bio.
Bailey Reynolds never thought she would ever in her life have to choose between someone that will give her everything she wants in life and someone that makes her feel like she is everything in his life. How does this southern spitfire choose between what her heart wants versus what her head tells her she wants?
Hendrix~ Can make her dreams come true Reaches in the sky and buys any star she desires Wants to set up a perfect life for her with everything she needs or could want But every so often can’t dry her tears
He’s not perfect but he was until ~ CASH
Cash~ Sets her world on fire. He is everything her heart wants but, not necessarily what her head wants. He creates his own stars and catches all her tears. But is love enough? Sometimes life is full of hard choices but that is when the biggest blessing take root.
Love Me~Like That Playlist
Renee Kennedygrew up in Decatur, AL and has been married to her high school sweet heart for 23 years. She currently lives in the Houston, TX area with her husband Jason, her son Braxton, and one very spoiled Yorkie, Chico. She also has one son that is serving our Country in the military, Brett.She loves living in Texas but she’ll always be a Bama girl and that is where her heart remains. Renee has always been an avid reader but never dreamed of writing a book, until reminiscing about her grandparent’s love story, Bailey’s story popped into her head. Her grandparents played a significant role in her life growing up, so sharing a little piece of them with the world, helps keep them alive in her heart.
When she is not reading or writing she loves to cook and try out new recipes. You can often find her hanging out with her family and friends or stalking her own favorite authors.
Chico, her mini Yorkie, runs Renee’s house and her so his every need must be catered too, after all he is her 3rd baby.
Deceive Book Two in the Declan Reede: The Untold Story Series Author: Michelle Irwin
Genre: NA Contemporary Romance Published: Dec 17th, 2015
Straighten up, pull it around, and get back on the track.
Declan Reede’s life is in a tailspin. Although he knows what he wants, he can’t see the road that will take him there. Wherever he turns, new secrets, lies, and half-truths threaten to send him crashing off-course. To deserve his family, he must fight his past mistakes and prove himself worthy.
But can someone out to deceive cost him the life he now craves?
**Due to strong language and sexual content not intended for anyone under age of 18**
I followed close behind her as she walked to her front door. Not knowing we’d be out as long as we were, she hadn’t left her porch light on, so the black beneath the eaves was almost absolute. I could only see a vague outline of her body. Yet, I could tell the she was regarding her feet with great interest. “Well—” I started. “Would you like—” Alyssa said at the same time, slowing raising her head to look at me. “You go,” I told her. “Would you like to come in for a drink?” I could see her eyes clearly despite the intervening night. They stared at me, pleading silently for something as she continued to play with the ends of her hair. I nodded before raising my hand to still her motion. The movement drew me closer to her and I couldn’t resist the call of her lips. I dipped my head and drew her lower lip between mine, sucking on it for a second before rolling my tongue across the plump surface. In response to my touch, her eyes closed, and her breath hitched. My own breaths were unsteady, but it wasn’t like the gasping lack of oxygen of my panic attacks. This was a type of breathlessness I enjoyed. The type I only ever experienced around her. I stepped back away from her, ready to follow her inside. In the darkness, the memory of her taste lingered on my mouth. With shaking hands, Alyssa pulled her keys from her bag and raised them to the door. The tremors grew more pronounced as she struggled to find the right key. Just like I’d done earlier in the day, I put my hand over hers to steady it. The thrill that passed between us was almost too much to handle. I stepped closer to her, pressing my front against her back. She leaned into me, and all thoughts of keys, doors, and drinks were forgotten. The black of night surrounded us like a blanket, cocooning us in our own private world. With my free hand, I brushed her hair over one shoulder before I pressed my lips to her neck. She murmured my name as she moved her head to grant me better access. Reaching around to the front of her, I slowly drew down the zip on her suit until I’d undone it completely. My hand crawled from the zipper to her stomach, working its way beneath her shirt. I moaned and increased the intensity of my kisses on the curve of her neck as my fingers found their way to her nipples. The keys left her hand, but the jingle when they hit the ground was easy to ignore when her fingers reached backward to caress my hair. She guided me closer to her, twisting my face against her neck. Possessed with need, I licked, sucked, and nipped at the skin of her throat.
Michelle Irwin has been many things: a hobbit taking a precious item to a fiery mountain; a young child stepping through the back of a wardrobe into another land; the last human stranded not-quite-alone in space three million years in the future; and a time-travelling madman in a box. All of these feats and many more were achieved through her voracious reading. Eventually, the cast inside her mind took over and spilled onto the page.
Michelle lives in sunny Queensland in the land down under. A lover of love and overcoming the odds, she primarily writes paranormal and fantasy romance. Facebook | Amazon | Goodreads | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Tumblr | Blog
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