Blog Tour and Giveaway: Lies Unspoken by Lisa De Jong

~ Synopsis ~

I tried hard not to fall for the bad guy.

My new roommate, Blake, is a jerk—an unemployed artist with a chip on his shoulder. I can’t stand him unless his hands are on me. He makes me desperate for him, and everything he makes me feel.

And then there’s my new boss, Pierce--successful, charming, and extremely good-looking. He goes after what he wants, but what does he see in me?

I try to stay away, but I end up in the arms of exactly who I was hiding from. And when I find out what’s being hidden from me, my heart twists in ways it never should.

I thought I knew him.

I didn't.

The way he kissed me.

The way his hands traveled every inch of my skin.

I thought it meant something, but as it turns out, it was all lies unspoken.  

~ Review ~ 

5 Stars 

 This book was really good.  I am a sucker for a good love triangle.  There were times I hated both guys and times I loved both guys.

Lila is moving out of state to hopefully start over.  She needs to get away from all the memories.  She has a place to live in Chicago so all she has to do is find a job and save money to get her own place.  Everything is suppose to be easy, but she learns really fast that it isn't going to be.  First she realizes she has a jerk for a roommate.  He is rude and never seems to be happy.  But she seems to be drawn to him. She wants to get to know him and fix him.  She gets glimpses of the real Blake, but he doesn't let that side out very often.  Can she help Blake and find love with him?  Or will he break her heart?

She takes her dream job and keeps running into her sexy boss Pierce. She wants him, but doesn't know if she can go for him when she wants Blake also.  She also doesn't want to hook up with Pierce and ruin her job. She wants to make it for herself and not have to work as a waitress the rest of her life.  But can she turn away from his advances?  Will she cave and let Pierce own her heart?

This is a beautifully broken love story.  So many twists and turns I didn't see coming.  Who is the better man?  Who can be what Lila needs?  I cannot wait for book two so I can get my answers!!!

~ Excerpt ~

When the rustling continues, I throw my covers off and roll out of bed. My bare feet pad against the cool hardwood floors as I make my way into the living room. Wiping the sleep from my eyes, I focus in on a shirtless Blake standing in front of the stove with his strong back to me. His body is sculpted. Wide shoulders. Waist tapering in at just the right angle … there’s probably not a pinch of fat on the guy.

I quietly walk up behind him, tapping my finger on his shoulder. “We need to talk.”

He spins around, his arm brushing against mine. His hair is mussed—a look he wears well … too well, as much as I hate to admit it.

“I only made enough eggs for me.” He smirks, and two stupid dimples form. He’s cute—stupidly so.

“I’m a cereal kind of girl,” I say, crossing my arms.

His smile widens. “Fruit Loops or Captain Crunch? I’m guessing you like the ones with the cute little cartoon characters on the front of the box.”

“Wheaties. I prefer to stare at a sexy athlete while eating my breakfast.” I stop, moving my hands to my hips. “Look, can we make a rule? No loud noises until at least nine. Some of us need our beauty sleep.”

His brow lifts. “Now that you mention it, your eyes are a little dark and puffy. It’s nothing a little make-up won’t fix.”

“You’re an asshole!”

He laughs, nibbling on a piece of egg at the end of his spatula. “That’s nothing I haven’t heard before.”

“Are you done? Because I’d really like to crawl back into my nice warm bed.”

He looks back to the stove. “Yep, breakfast is served.”

“Good. I’m going back to bed.”

I start to walk away, but his voice stops me. “Hey, Lila?” He says my name with extra emphasis on the second syllable—in a way I haven’t heard it before. I turn around, taking in his dark, hooded eyes. “If you’re going to walk around looking like that every morning, I might be okay with this roommate thing.”

Looking down, I’m suddenly reminded that all I have on is a sleep shirt that reads: “I don’t hate morning people. Mornings have nothing to do with it.” It barely covers my ass, and the wide neck falls off my shoulder. It’s certainly not something I’d want to be caught in by him.

“Definitely an asshole,” I groan as I hurry to my room and slam the door shut behind me.

~ Author Bio ~

Lisa De Jong is a wife, mother and full-time number cruncher who lives in the Midwest.  Her writing journey involved insane amounts of coffee and many nights of very little sleep but she wouldn't change a thing.  She also enjoys reading, football and music. 

  Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

~ Giveaway ~

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal: VERUM by Courtney Cole

You loved Courtney Cole's NOCTE in all it's dark, twisted, spellbinding, messed-up awesomeness. You can't wait until VERUM (Nocte Trilogy Book 2) releases in February 2015. And now Courtney Cole is going to release an exclusive VERUM excerpt...but only if we can get it to the top 1000 on Amazon!

All you have to do is go to Amazon and pre-order VERUM right now. Go, pre-order, and get all your NOCTE-obsessed friends to pre-order, too. If enough people do it, VERUM will climb up the ranks, and we'll get a sneak peek at the follow-up to what's being called "a haunting psychological suspense" and "the rare kind of story that leaves permanent marks on your heart and your soul."

>> PRE-ORDER VERUM ON AMAZON RIGHT HERE <<

About NOCTE

SAVE ME AND I'LL SAVE YOU....

My name is Calla Price. I’m eighteen years old, and I’m one half of a whole. My other half-- my twin brother, my Finn--is crazy.

I love him. More than life, more than anything. And even though I’m terrified he’ll suck me down with him, no one can save him but me.

I’m doing all I can to stay afloat in a sea of insanity, but I’m drowning more and more each day. So I reach out for a lifeline.

Dare DuBray.

He’s my savior and my anti-Christ. His arms are where I feel safe, where I’m afraid, where I belong, where I’m lost. He will heal me, break me, love me and hate me. He has the power to destroy me.

Maybe that’s ok. Because I can’t seem to save Finn and love Dare without everyone getting hurt.

Why? Because of a secret.

A secret I’m so busy trying to figure out, that I never see it coming.

You won’t either.

>> GET NOCTE ON AMAZON RIGHT HERE << >> JOIN THE NOCTE TRILOGY TEASER AND CLUE LIST RIGHT HERE <<

About VERUM

THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE.

My name is Calla Price and I'm drowning.

My new world is a dark, dark ocean and I'm being pulled under by secrets.

Can I trust anyone? I don't know anymore.

The lies are spirals. They twist and turn, binding me with their thorns and serpentine tongues. And just when I think I have it figured out, everything is pulled out from under me.

I'm entangled in the darkness.

But the truth will set me free.

It's just ahead of me, so close I can touch it. But even though it shines and glimmers, it has glistening fangs and I know it will shred me.

Are you scared?

I am.

>> PRE-ORDER VERUM ON AMAZON RIGHT HERE << >> JOIN THE NOCTE TRILOGY TEASER AND CLUE LIST RIGHT HERE <<

Blog Tour: Breaking Bennett by Anne Jolin

BREAKING BENNETT 

Author: Anne Jolin 

Genre: Romance/Erotica

Series: Rock Falls Series, Book 3 

~ Synopsis ~

Beth Rhodes has always had a game plan. Go to college. Get the perfect job. Get the perfect guy. Get the happily ever after she's always wanted. It is just her luck that everything falls into its precise place in her life. At least it seems that way until her blueprints go up in smoke. She loses the job she loves and her price charming is turning out to be the villain of her fairytale instead. With failures and mistakes piling up on her doorstep, she knows something has to give—or she could very well end up paying for those mistakes with her life.

Braxton Bennett is lethal, both in the courtroom and in the ring. Two sides of him constantly wage war against one another, and to keep the internal bloodshed at bay, he allows himself to indulge in his violent vice. Suit by day and brawler by night aren’t easy dual lives to manage for a man of his status. The only way to do so is by following a strict set of rules—rules he won’t break for anyone. But what if he already has?

On a summer night in the depths of the city, a chance encounter will turn both of their perfectly constructed worlds upside down.

Will they battle together against all odds to break Bennett’s rules? Or will Rhodes tap out to save herself before the fight is over?

Add to Goodreads

~ Purchase ~ 

Amazon | iTunes | Kobo

~ Review ~
4 Stars 

This book is really good.  I really enjoyed learning more about Beth and the secret relationship she had going in the previous book.

Beth is finally starting to see who Kyle really is.  He is a controlling a**hole.  She is made that she didn't realize it sooner.  But after she is rescued she wonders if she can open herself up for love again.  Can she trust her judgement in men? 

Braxton is t looking for love.  He doesn't believe he is worth it.  He also has a huge secret that he will protect at all costs.  But once Beth comes to work for him he has to find a way to keep her quit. What he wasn't expecting was for his feelings to be so strong. He has never felt this way for anyone.  Can he open up to her?  Or will be push the fragile girl away?

This book was missing something for me. And I can really say what I think it is without giving a spoiler away. But I definitely recommend this book and also the first two books in this series!!! I cannot wait for Peyton to get a story!

~ Teasers ~

~ The Rock Falls Series ~

CHASING RHODES

Author: Anne Jolin

Genre:  Romance | Erotica

Series: Rock Falls Series #1

~ Synopsis ~

Hannah Rhodes has just gotten out of a long term relationship, and she isn't looking for a new man in her life. But after a night out with the girls and one too many tequila shots, her plans to stay man free are blown all to hell. She finds herself in bed with the smoldering stranger from a party six months back and immediately knows she's in trouble, big trouble. And the last thing Hannah needs is more trouble.

Her last relationship took her out like an emotional freight train, and she’s trying to piece back the stability her life once had.

Greyson Holt’s biggest fear in life is to end up like his father, like the man who left him as a child, and broke his mother’s heart. He vowed to never be responsible for that kind of carnage. Men could be cruel and that kind of brutality was in his blood. He never allows himself to get too close to anyone, until he meets Hannah.

Something about her makes him want to try, but a man can’t change overnight.

Will Holt be able to catch Rhodes every time he lets her go? Or will their chase end in heartbreak?

Add to Goodreads

~ Purchase ~

AMAZON | B&N

CHOOSING HENLEY

Author: Anne Jolin

Series: Book Two in the Rock Falls Series

Genre: Romance | Erotica 

~ Synopsis ~

Lennon Montgomery is scared. Absolutely scared shitless of love. 

When the floor fell out from underneath her perfect childhood, it shattered her ability to trust. The one man in her life who was genetically programmed to love her left her. Since then, she’s allowed men into her bed and even into her life, but never into her heart. 

Until him. 

Jamison Henley has never wanted a woman for longer than it takes him to make a guitar. He’s content living his life and loving only three things: making guitars, cooking great food, and Martha, his black pit bull. He never chases women, and he’s never had to. 

Until her.

One night together changes everything. There’s no going back to the way it was before. 

She doesn’t want to want him, but she does. 

He knows he wants her, but he can’t have her. 

Will Montgomery take the leap of faith in choosing Henley? Or will her fear cripple their chance at a happily ever after?

Add to Goodreads

~ PURCHASE ~

Amazon | Kobo | B&N | iTunes

~ ABOUT THE AUTHOR ~
Anne Jolin

I’m twenty four years old. I was born and raised in Ladner, a small farm town just outside of Vancouver, Canada. I grew up riding horses, shooting guns and riding in trucks. I’ve been married to my handsome redneck husband for a year and we are parents to our chocolate fur baby, Bear. No kiddo’s yet! I am completely and utterly obsessed with country music, you will constantly find me stalking iTunes. If you don’t find me on iTunes, you’ll find me on Netflix because I am a self proclaimed movie junkie. Yes, that means that I quote them constantly in daily conversation and my characters do too! You couldn’t keep me away from a good action movie if you tried. I’m also a planning nut. I love to plan parties, events, trips – you name it! I don’t know if that’s considered a real hobby, but it is for me. 

We were fortunate enough to travel a lot as a family growing up, and I think that helped spark my love of reading. I’m half Viking, my mom is Danish, and her entire side of the family still lives in Denmark. We’d visit them almost once a year, every year and it’s a nine hour flight. That’s a lot of uninterrupted time to read (or in my parent’s case, entertain four children – Yikes!). Somewhere along the way my love of reading, became a love of writing. I wrote short stories when I was younger, and although I majored in Business Management at college, I took as many English electives I could get my hands on. 

During the day I work at my family construction company wearing a variety of different hats and at night, I write! I had never thought about writing books before, but after a few suggestions that I should try, I decided to give it a go. I loved it instantly! Having always been a creative person, it felt amazing to harness all that energy and use it to tell a story. Now, quite frankly it’s all I can think about, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m grateful to have developed my love of reading into a passion for writing. You’ll be seeing many more books from me in the future!

Xo.

Social media links:

Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Website 

Tour Host: HEA Book Tours, PR & More: http://heabooktours.blogspot.com/

Blog Tour: Ripped by Katy Evans

~ Synopsis ~

Every woman wants me--except the one I sing for.

Seattle shakes with anticipation: they call it the concert of the year. They say girls are getting pregnant just thinking about my band being in town.

But when you love a girl, you don't leave her with nothing but a ring and a promise. Any man with half a brain should know.

So what did I expect my girl would do when she saw me again?

Well, for starters, she loathes our music. Particularly the song I wrote about her.

When I sing it, the stadium is in an uproar. Thousands of fans scream my name like I'm a god--but yeah, not her. Crystal clear: the girl's not happy to see me.

Black hair, black boots, a bad attitude, that's her -- Pandora Stone is a freaking man-eater and she's out for my blood.

That's alright.

Let her come at me. Because I'm out for her heart and, this time, there's no way she can stop me.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Indiebound

~ Review ~

4 Stars

This book was good. It was actually a lot better than the synopsis made me think.  Also you don't have to read any of the other books in the series before this one.  You will obviously know who each couple is, but you won't know how they got their HEA.

Pandora claims to HATE Mackenna.  She is made that he could so easily walk away from her and never come back.  They were suppose to love each other and run away together.  She doesn't understand why he would lie.  Why he would take off and never return.  But when she sees him again can she still hate him?  Or will she realize she never quit loving him? 

Mackenna is miserable.  He is on top of the world with his music and he has all the female attention that anyone could want.  The one woman he wants won't even give him the time of day.  He knows leaving her was the best thing for them, but he still wants her.  Can he prove to Pandora that he is worthy of her?  Can they end up happy together again?

This book is about second chances.  Forgiving the ones we love most for hurting us.  The people we love most have the best chance at hurting us more because we leave ourselves open to them.  But can Pandora and Mackenna get over all the pain they have caused each other?

~ About the Author ~

Katy Evans grew up with books and book-boyfriends until she found a real sexy boyfriend to love. They married and are now hard at work on their own happily ever after. Katy loves her family and friends, and she also loves reading, walking, baking, and being consumed by her characters until she reaches “The End.” Which is, hopefully, only the beginning…

~ Social Media Links ~

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Easy Virtue by Mia Asher

~ Synopsis ~

Love is selfish...

My name is Blaire.

I'm the bad girl.

The other woman.

The one who never gets the guy in the end.

I'm the gold digger.

The bitch.

The one no one roots for.

The one you love to hate.

I hate myself too...

Everyone has a story. Are you ready for mine? 

~ Review ~

4 Stars 

I have been waiting forever for another Mia Asher book.  Arsen is my favorite book.  It made me feel so much.  This book had me feeling sad, empathetic, pissed, disgusted and mad.  I really thought I could sympathize with Blaire, but by the end of the book I couldn't stand her. 

Blaire is a sick girl.  Instead of trying to find love she stays away from it.  She becomes a gold digger and doesn't involve feelings in anything.  She will not date a man that can't afford to keep her living the life she has become accustomed too.  She doesn't find herself worthy of love so you goes to the guys she knows only want her body. 

I really felt bad for her at the beginning of this book and I understood she needed to believe in herself before she could believe that others actually saw good in her.  But by the end I was frustrated and disgusted with her.  She also needs to hit rock bottom before she can grow. She needs to get her heart broken to learn that she is worth fixing herself so she can finally have the love she yearns for.

Also I went into this book believing it was a stand alone to realize it is a freaking cliff hanger.  And I hate cliff hangers.  Especially when I am not prepared for it to be a series or trilogy. 

Be prepared for the emotional journey this book takes you on.  There are a lot of twists and turns and make sure you pay attention or you may miss things.  I have a secret theory that I have kept to myself, but I am hoping it comes true!!

~ Excerpt ~

With champagne and caviar inundating my every sense, I slither through the light wooden floors of the Lila Acheson Wallace Wing in The Met. As I walk, I pretend to admire the expensive jewelry being showcased tonight by a famous designer whose name I can’t remember. A multicolored diamond butterfly sparkles to my left and a cobra made out of black stones glistens to my right. Rows upon rows of precious gems twinkle under the soft lights of the room, flooding the space between the walls with the glow of a thousand stars. Furtive glances. Secrets gossiped. Beauty criticized. Lofty music fills the atmosphere as the über rich mingle and pretend to like each other, yet you can almost taste their conceit and derision for one another in the air.

          This is Walker’s world, and I love it.

          Standing across the room, where the crowd is thinner and the music fainter, I spot Walker’s blond head in the corner of the room, talking to a group of his colleagues and their wives. He looks polished and worth every penny of his trust fund in his sleek black tuxedo, perfectly starched white shirt and black bowtie. His long golden hair parted to the side shines like the sun. He is truly flawless.

          I smile because it’s hard to picture that this is the same guy who likes to snort coke off my tits as he fucks me while hardcore porn plays in the background. He looks untouchable and so cool, but his searching eyes, scanning the crowd for me give him up. He’s wondering where I am. He did tell me not to go too far, after all. Soon after we arrived at the party, I gave him some space to talk to his friends and do his thing while I did mine. I hate clingy people, so I avoid being one.

          I grab a third flute of champagne from a passing waiter, and try to decide which of the different displays to check out first when my eyes land on a spectacular piece of jewelry. On a bed of black silk, similar to my hair color, lies an extravagant necklace made of diamonds and rubies—a small heaven within one’s reach as long as you can afford the price.

          I bridge the space between the glass protecting the necklace and me until it’s within my reach, fighting the urge to touch the cool surface. As if under a spell, I observe how the rows of diamonds embedded in platinum form leaves and thorns. At its center is a rose made out of red diamonds almost as big as my palm.

          I feel someone walk up and stand next to me, but I don’t give him or her a second thought as I continue to admire the way the light hits the gems, making them shine.

          “Beautiful, isn’t it?”

          His voice is smooth and commanding, dripping absolute power. I keep my eyes locked on the display. Call it sixth sense, but somehow I know that under no circumstance should I make eye contact with the stranger who speaks like the ruler of the world.

          “Yes,” I say simply.

          “I wonder how much it is?” the man asks.

          “I don’t think it matters … I highly doubt anyone can afford it.”

          He chuckles, and the sound is more delicious than his voice. Lusher. “Oh, but I can.”

          I smile at his self-assurance. I love cocky assholes. “I still doubt it.”

          “You shouldn’t. I only speak the truth,” he retorts coolly. His voice is nonchalant yet his words leave no room for disbelief—a demand and a statement all in one.

          Suddenly, the noises of the room become distant. People talking and laughing amongst friends and the orchestra playing all fade away until all I hear is him speaking.

          And at this moment, that is all that matters.

          “The truth is very subjective, sir.”

          “The truth may be subjective but money isn’t. Money can buy anything.” 

          His answer is like an electroshock, jumpstarting my brain from a champagne-induced haze. My pulse begins to accelerate, excitement making it hard to take a deep breath. Don’t look at him … don’t.

          “Oh really,” I say, my voice dripping with sarcasm. He’s right, though.

          “Of course. I believe everything,” he pauses, “and everyone has a price.”

          Curiosity winning the battle against curiosity, I turn to face him, and what a fucking big mistake that is. When our eyes meet, I feel incapacitated of all sense and movement. The sight of him takes my breath away. This man gives the term “lust at first sight” a whole new meaning.

           In my short twenty-three years, I’ve been with extremely handsome men, perfect even, but to classify the man standing next to me in any kind of category would be a disservice to him, and not really fair to the others. Longish, light brown hair wildly framing his face, vacant eyes the color of dollar bills, a slightly crooked nose, and a mouth that begs to be buried deep within your thighs. His beauty is as harsh as it is stunningly perfect. Dressed in a simple black tuxedo and unbuttoned white shirt, the man exudes innate virility and grace, reminding me of a black panther stalking his prey. And just like a panther, it’s the pure raw and powerful energy emanating from within him that I find most attractive. Because just by standing next to him, I get the sense that his word is always the last spoken and his wishes the first ones to be fulfilled. He doesn’t ask, he demands. He doesn’t hope, he expects.

           He’s quiet for a moment; his uncanny eyes hold me captive as though they are baring my soul to him and I hate it. I tighten my hold on the crystal flute. I want to look away, but I can’t. The way he’s staring at me makes me want to squirm.

          “I wonder … do you have one?” he asks softly before turning to examine the piece of jewelry once more.

          “A what?” I ask, momentarily stunned.

          He smiles. “A price.”

          “For the right amount … I just might,” I say quietly, my heart beating so fast it feels as though it wants out of my chest. As soon as the words leave my mouth, there’s no shock coursing down my body, no rolling waves of shame pulling me down for having said that to a complete stranger—nothing.

          And why should there be? I am who I am.

          I’m staring at his profile, waiting for him to acknowledge my answer, when a breeze of cool air floats past us, making me shiver. About to chase the goose bumps on my arm with my hand, I watch as he slowly turns to look at me, catching me staring at him. Time stands still as I watch him raise his large tanned hand and touch my bare shoulder, his fingertips lightly grazing the temporary small bumps covering it. Then he smiles as if he knows that my skin is tingling from his scalding touch, and looks away.

          “I thought so.”

          We remain standing next to each other for another minute or so, the distance between us almost nonexistent. It would be so easy to reach out and hold his hand. The sound of an incoming call breaks the silence, bringing us back to reality.

          He takes his cell phone out of the inner pocket of his tuxedo jacket and ignores the call after noting the name of the caller. He lifts his gaze to meet my own.

“Sorry about that.”

          “It’s okay. I should go … I’m here with someone,” I reply, not really wanting to leave him just yet.

          “Yes, that’s probably a good idea.”

          I frown. He didn’t have to be quite so blunt. The stranger extends a hand toward me, holding something in his fingers.

          “Here … ”

          I open my hand as I feel the edges of what I assume is his business card poke the skin of my palm. “What’s this?” I ask stupidly.

          “My business card, of course.”

          “Obviously … but why?”

          He smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “Let’s just say that I’m an interested buyer.”

          And then he’s gone.

          He turns and walks away from me, disappearing into a sea of colorful gowns and black suits. As the sounds of the party infiltrate my ears once more, I lower my gaze to stare at the simple cream-colored card in my hand. Its simplistic and elegant design draws attention to the name printed in bold black letters on the paper.

          Lawrence Rothschild.

          I smile and let my fingertips trail his name. It depends on what you’re willing to pay, Mr. Rothschild.

Published by Mia Asher

Copyright © 2013 by Mia Asher

~ Author Bio ~

Mia Asher

My name is Mia Asher.

I'm a writer, a hopeless romantic, a wanderer, a dreamer, a cynic, and a believer. And, oh yes…I might be a bit crazy - but who isn't?

~ Social Media Links ~

Facebook / Twitter / Website / Goodreads / Pinterest

~ Giveaway ~

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal and Giveaway: Very Twisted Things

VERY TWISTED THINGS

Series: Briarcrest Academy #3 (all novels are standalones)

Author: Ilsa Madden-Mills

Release Date: February 2015

Cover Model: Drew Leighty

Genre: Hot New Adult for 18+

~ Synopsis ~

     

A sassy violinist who lives next door. An obsessed rock star who watches her through binoculars. And one night when she bares it all. Life will never be the same in Tinseltown.

Description: Vital Rejects front guy Sebastian Tate never imagined his YouTube music video would go viral, sky-rocketing him to acting success in Hollywood. Okay, maybe he did. After all, he’s a cocky dude who knows he’s hot-as-hell, and it was only a matter of time before his stars aligned. But life in Tinseltown is never what it seems. After being cheated on, his only rule to falling in love is simple: Keep Calm and Don’t Do It. Spying on his mysterious new neighbor with binoculars seems innocent enough, but quickly escalates into an erotic game between two very unlikely people. Twenty-year-old Violet St. Lyons is a world-renowned violinist who's lost her mojo on stage. She hides away in a Hollywood mansion, trying to find her way through her twisted past in order to make her future. He’s the life of the party with girls chasing him down for his autograph. She’s the introvert with a potty mouth who doesn’t even know who he is. When they meet, stars collide, sparks fly, and clothes come off. Yet, giving his heart to a girl isn’t Sebastian’s plan; falling for a guy who craves attention isn’t Violet’s. Welcome to Briarcrest Academy—Hollywood style—where sometimes the best things in life are VERY TWISTED THINGS.  

ADD TO GOODREADS:

 

 ~ Prologue ~

 “Then he came along, and like a twisted piece of metal that’s burned beyond recognition, I emerged from the fire. Different. Changed.” –from the journal of Violet St. Lyons   This wasn’t happening. Clad in a pair of red lacy bikini underwear—his favorite—I sipped on tequila—not my favorite—and glared at Sebastian Tate, sexy rock star and billboard model. Wearing low-slung jeans and nothing else, he paced around my chair in tight circles, his tall frame blocking most of my vision, the lion tattoo on his back heaving as he took deep breaths. Blonde and sporting faint stubble on his chiseled jawline, he looked like the heartbreaker the tabloids said he was. Bad, bad boy. But, oh, so good. He sent me a hard look. Pissed. From my living room in the Hollywood Hills, I gazed out the window at the Santa Monica Mountains, my eyes everywhere except on the glossy nude photos he clutched in his hand. Of me. Of him. Of us. He swiveled his ice-blue eyes at me. Earlier today they’d burned with another kind of fire, but things change fast in Tinseltown. “These will be in the papers. Get ready,” he said, tossing down the pictures on the table, making me cringe. I gazed down at them, my eyes lingering over one of us on my patio, him on his knees with his mouth between my legs as my body arched in ecstasy. My skin burned at the memory, echoes of the passion we’d shared—and now everyone in the world would see. My family. The society people in New York. The board of directors for the orphanage. My stomach heaved at the thought, bile threatening to rise up. Another caught my eye, this one a full color close-up of me crying black mascara tears as I played my violin. Nude. It looked depressing as hell although in truth it had been love that made me emotional. “Remind me to pass on the make-up next time. And to not have sex outdoors. Obviously,” I said, forcing my shoulders to move in a nonchalant shrug like I didn’t care, but he knew the truth. I was devastated by these. And so was he. Because we weren’t supposed to be together. He said my name in that husky voice of his, the one that made me crazy, the one that made me want to rip his clothes off. “Violet—” “Stop,” I said, clenching my fists. Because whatever he had to say didn’t matter. These pictures ruined us, ensuring that he’d leave me for her, the beautiful Bubble named Blair. Bubble, bubble, bubble. I wanted to pop her. Why did I always come last with him? I stood and faced him, tossing back the last of my shot. “First off, I wish we’d never met.” I held my hand up. “No. Wait. I don’t wish that because then I wouldn’t know Spider or Mila. I—I wish I’d never fallen in love with you. Loving means losing. Always. And I was stupid to forget it. I may have to sell this house and move to another freaking country to get away from you, but I’ll do it. I’ve done it before.” I sucked in a breath. “I’ll be fine without you.” Lie. I would likely end up drunk on Mexican tequila, nursing what was left of my heart. He closed his eyes, a dazed expression on his face as if my words crushed him. “We were doomed from the very start,” I reminded him. “You want to be a star, and all I want is you.” He stopped his pacing, a muscle jerking in his cheek as he leaned down until his nose was level with mine. “Then this is goodbye, Violet? You’re giving up on us already?” Did I hear a break in his voice? Impossible. “If I don’t say goodbye first, then someone else will.” Truth. He’d never be mine, simply because he didn’t belong with me. I was a washed-up freak who had nothing but a mansion and a Maserati; he belonged on the silver screen with a pretty starlet on his arm. We were over. Kaput. I smiled, a bitter thing, and sashayed past him, enjoying the hiss of breath when I let my hand drift over his crotch. “This moment is begging for a soundtrack, don’t you think?” I said, coming to stop by the stereo system and cranking up Kurt Kobain’s Smells Like Teen Spirit. Holding my hands up in the horns rocking out signal, I bobbed my head to the beat while he watched, anger flickering across his face. I danced and twirled around, closing my eyes, the music vibrating through my body, my fingers itching for my violin. Bam! My eyes flew open. He’d strode over to me and clicked the stereo off, chest still heaving. He shoved his hands in my hair and dragged my face to his, and I groaned at the fire that blazed in my body. I felt the warm heat of his skin and pressed closer and inhaled. He smelled like bourbon and sex—a rock star’s diet—and I panted, cursing myself at the same time. How would I ever get over him? He pressed his thumbs across my mouth. Gentle. But his voice was cold. “You can’t wait to high-tail it back to Manhattan to your lawyer boyfriend, can you?” “I plead the fifth,” I said, staring at his full lips. I licked my own. “But you can kiss me goodbye if you want. I don’t mind.” We stared at each other until he exhaled heavily and put his back to me, his muscles as taut as the guitar strings he played. He verged on breaking. Yeah, well, welcome to my world. Yet at the same time, I reached my hand out to him. Stupid hand. But of course, he didn’t see it. “So long, V,” he said soft as a whisper, staring at the ground as if I was breaking his heart, when all along it was the other way around. He took a step from me, then another, then another, until finally, he was nothing but a speck. I clutched my chest and wanted to fall to the ground and rail on it. Alone. Again. But tough girls like me didn’t cry over black-hearted boys. Although in his defense, I owed him a thank you for saving me. To show you, I’d have to start at the beginning, the day I lost everything.   © Ilsa Madden-Mills, NYT and USA Today bestselling author --Unedited and may change before publication 

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 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills writes about strong heroines and sexy alpha males that sometimes you just want to slap.   She spends her days with two small kids, one neurotic cat, and one husband. She collects magnets and rarely cooks except to bake her own pretzels.   When she's not crafting a story, you can find her drinking too much Diet Coke, jamming out to Pink, or checking on her carefully maintained chocolate stash.   She loves to hear from readers and fellow authors.  

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