by Lori L. Clark
Publication: January 23rd 2013
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
DESCRIPTION
It’s been said that when we look back over our lives, we are able to recognize the pivotal moments that in some way, shape, or form have led us to where we are today.
When Jacqueline Carter is fifteen, she crosses paths for the first time with Seth Thomas, a young man who unwittingly alters the direction of her life forever.
Jaq plans to break-up with her boyfriend on her sixteenth birthday. Instead, she is date-raped, and left emotionally broken. She builds a wall around her heart and begins spiraling downward on a road filled with drinking, drugs and physical abuse.
When Seth re-enters her life a few years later, the walls around her heart slowly come down and the two of them fall in love.
Unfortunately sometimes, fate has other ideas, and we’re forced down a different road from which we initially set out.
 |
 |
 |
Danielle flung her purse at his head and my mouth dropped open, convinced she must have a death wish or something. “You are the biggest, dumbest bastard I know. What the hell took you so long? And just what in God’s name were you thinking, bringing that thing to pick me up with? You know I hate motorcycles! Just how many brain cells do you have left? Three?”
He killed the engine, and to my surprise, actually waited quietly until she finished calling him every unflattering name in the book and beat on him with her handbag, “Calm the fuck down Dani,” he muttered. “The tranny’s out on the Ram; this is all the wheels I’ve got at the moment. I was trying to borrow something else to come get you. That’s what took me so long.”
He peeled the leather gloves from his hands and unfastened the strap under his chin to remove his helmet. I admired the fact that he was infinitely more patient than most guys would have been around a hysterical woman beating on them with a bag the size of New Hampshire. He glanced at me, narrowing his steel gray wolf-like eyes. He swung a leather chap covered leg over the bike and sized me up in much the same way I’d covertly been doing with him.
He faced me and blatantly checked me out from head to toe and back again. He was tall, about six-four with wavy, black as midnight hair. The thought that his soul was probably just as black popped into my thoughts unbidden. That gut instinct, along with his gaze, caused me to shiver involuntarily. I thought it was the late fall night air on my still damp skin, but quickly realized it was coming from within.
I bit my bottom lip and thrust my hand toward him, “Hey. I’m Jaq.”
A smile from a mouth full of perfect, glow-in-the-dark white teeth crept across his face; he bumped knuckles with me and said, “I’m Damon Blackwell. Remember that name. You’ll be screaming it out one of these nights. Repeatedly.”
It takes a lot to shock me, but shock me, he did. I didn’t even know what to say to a comment like that and before I could close my mouth and think of something, he turned and strode across the parking lot toward his sisters purple — no eggplant — car.
My eyes were shamelessly glued to his backside as he walked away. He had more swing in his hips than most women, giving him a slow, sexy swagger. Dani leaned in, “He’s showing off. Don’t let that walk fool ya. It’s really because one of his legs is shorter than the other and not because he’s perfected some sort of swoon worthy stroll. I’ve seen more girls lose their panties because of that walk than I care to remember.”
A smile crawled across my face, “That right?” Sounds like a challenge to me.
She frowned, “Yeah. Believe me Jaq, do yourself a huge favor and stay away from Damon Blackwell. He’s the worst kind of bad news. Trust me,” she muttered and popped open her purple umbrella. She tottered off after him, unsuccessfully dodging waterlogged potholes in her high heels. “I better give the Neanderthal my keys.”
“I thought you said he wouldn’t work on your car?” I called after her.
She turned and shook her head, “Oh he’ll get in, turn the key and when it doesn’t start, he’ll go all Bill Engvall about it.”
“What do you mean?” I asked walking behind her.
“You know? Car won’t start. Hmph. Here’s your sign.” She laughed at her own joke.
I’m an only child.
I love dogs!
I was born in Iowa City, Iowa and lived in Iowa my whole life until January 2007.
I worked as a professional psychic reader for 2 years.
I’m a Pisces Sun, Leo Moon with Aquarius rising.
I’ve written 5 books and am in the process of brainstorming a 6th.
I don’t look or act my age!
I ran my first 1/2 marathon at age 50.
I love 80’s hair band music.
My day job is as a claims payment analyst for one of Fortune 500 Magazine’s “Top 100 places in America to work.”
 |
 |
 |
 |
Summer Ross
Great excerpt- really drew me in. Thank you for posting.
~Summer
Giselle
Thanks for being on the tour, darling! 😉
J. Anne Huss
Thanks for stopping by guys! I love just about any story that has fate in it. I’m a sucker for destiny too!
erin
Sounds interesting! Thanks for sharing
Isis Erb
I must agree with Summer, the excerpt is very appealing, as is the brief teaser that belongs on the back cover. Books with fate are tantalizing, as I’ve yet to determine my own stance on the concept of fate and/or destiny; it seems to fluctuate depending upon what is going on in my life.
Kelly
Wait who is this guy? His name wasn’t on the synopsis?
J. Anne Huss
I’m not sure, maybe he’s the date-raper??? Eek! I wish I had time to review this book, it looked good but I have too many this week.
Melinda Dartmann
I must admit, I like looking at a great male backside walking away also, LOL
Kim Kimbrough
Look forward to reading this book sounds intriguing. Thank you for the giveaway.
Trish Hannon
Sounds really interesting and it’s an issue that deserves lots of coverage in books. Sadly it’s all too common.
Mary Lowery
sounds good thanks for the review thanks for the giveaway
Mary Lowery
sounds good thanks for the review thanks for the giveaway
nurmawati djuhawan
thx u for makng it INT giveaway 😉
Bookworm Brandee
I love stories involving fate, so the synopsis grabbed me. I added it to my TBR after reading the excerpt. The book sounds serious with some humor too. Loved that scene – beating him with her handbag – the size of New Hampshire!
Meghan
Wow! I can’t WAIT to read this! I love that cover, too ; )
I wonder what kind of events or people inspired the author while writing this book!?
Thanks for the giveaway!
mestith at gmail dot com
Christine
This book sounds so interesting and emotional–definitely my kind of read! 😀