Book Review: Community Service by Dakota Madison

Community Service

Dakota Madison

New Adult Contemporary Romance

Available at Amazon



Blurb (From Goodreads)

As Maggie Mitchell enters her final semester of college, the last thing she wants is a guy in her life, let alone two of them.

Her new lab partner, Sawyer Reed, is still the overconfident and sexy jock that made fun of her in high school. The only thing that has changed is that he now uses a wheelchair, the result of a skiing accident.

Jude Marino is a hot actor who all the girls want and would do anything to get. He works at a local theater where Maggie has been assigned to complete community services hours after rear-ending a police car.

Both Sawyer and Jude want Maggie but only one of them will be able to capture her heart.

This new adult romance contains mature language and content intended for adult readers (18+).

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My Review: I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

This is my second Dakota Madison novel, and I found Community Service to be as lighthearted and sweet as Fire on Ice. Sometimes it's just nice to curl up with a book that will leave me happy: no major angst, no horrible broken hearts, just sweet romance. If you are looking for that kind of read, then Dakota Madison is perfect for you. And she has no shortage of titles as she wraps up her 12 novels in 12 months campaign. I have no idea how she does it.

Maggie grew up part of the geeky crowd in high school, secretly crushing on gorgeous jock Sawyer. Even in college, her self-esteem hasn't blossomed. Sure she's dated a few guys, but it never worked out for her. Maggie has high aspirations and her heart is set on a prestigious science graduate school. When she lands a highly sought after internship, she's shocked to find the object of her teenage crush as her internship partner. A distracted Maggie rear-ends a police car and is sentenced to community service. There she meets guy #2, Jude.

This novel contains a bit of a love triangle as Maggie meets two guys within days of each other. First there's Sawyer who is a paraplegic after a skiing accident his freshman year in college. Sawyer seems perfect for Maggie: he's a scientist in the same field as her, compassionate, caring, sweet. If only his overwhelming fear of rejection didn't make him push her away.

Then we have Jude, the hot lead actor at the theater where Maggie's doing her community service. Jude is a player through and through. Though he's too smooth, sexy, and arrogant, Maggie can't help the physical attraction she feels toward him. I despised Jude, wished he'd just disappear into the woodwork. Jude and Sawyer are old friends, but he treats Sawyer like crap, making nasty comments about his disability.

I was floored at the way Sawyer was treated by so many people simply because he's in a wheelchair. I really hope that's not the case in the real world. Maggie's mother blew me away with her overall nastiness towards Sawyer. This novel is definitely character driven. The character interaction has been my favorite part of both Dakota Madison's books that I've read. If you're looking for a sweet romance, add Community Service to your TBR list. Due to mature content, this book is recommended for ages 18+.

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Dakota Madison has been writing since she learned to read and fell in love with books. When she's not at her computer creating spicy new romances, Dakota is traveling to exotic locales or spending time with her husband and their bloodhounds.

Connect with Dakota Madison on her Facebook fan page:
https://www.facebook.com/DakotaMadisonAuthor

Or connect with her on her blog:
http://12novels12months.tumblr.com/

Release Event: Grimnirs by Ednah Walters - Excerpt, Review & Giveaway!

Presented by:  As You Wish Tours

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Grimnirs
A Runes Novel

Ednah Walters

YA Paranormal Romance
Firetrail Publishing
December 2, 2013



Blurb

One Lost Love.
                   One Lost Best Friend.
                                              One Hot Soul Reaper

Straight out of the psych ward, Cora just wants her life to be normal. She doesn’t want to see souls or the reapers collecting them. The guy she’s loved from a distance for years moves away without saying goodbye. So yes, she’s nursing a serious heartbreak. It’s no wonder love is the last thing on her mind when Echo storms into her life.

The chemistry between them is mind-blowing.The connection defies logic. Even better, the souls leave her alone when he is around.

Too bad Echo is the poster boy for everything she hates in a guy—hot, beautiful,and cocky. He is also a soul reaper. A Grimnir.
The very beings she wants out of her life. Maybe normal is overrated because Cora wants it all. Answers. Love. A life.

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Excerpt

“Now see what you made me do.” I eased off the brake. Ahead, Dad’s truck was nowhere in sight.

“Sorry about that,” Echo said, but he didn’t sound or look it. He reached out and lifted the hair on my right shoulder.

I swatted at his hand. “Stop that.”

“Can’t help it.” He planted a kiss on my neck. The car swayed as I momentarily lost control.

“I’m serious. Quit messing with me, Echo.”

“You smell amazing.” He trailed kisses up my neck to my ear and inhaled.

The sensations that invaded my body were downright frightening. Not even Eirik had ever made me feel like this. If I could forget Echo was a lunatic and I was losing my mind, I would have enjoyed the sensation.

I reached up and tried to push his head away, but it was like moving a boulder. Worse, my hand sunk into his hair. It was silky, and for one brief moment, I wanted to run my fingers through it, maybe hold his head in place and savor the moment.

He bit my ear. I squealed and, once again, lost control of the car. “Dang it, Echo. We could get into an accident.”

“But we self-heal.”

I self-healed, too? Nice. No, not nice. I refused to start buying into his crazy assumptions. “I could hurt someone.”

“There’re just Mortals. If it’s their time to go, it’s their time to go. No force of nature can stop that. No, that’s not true. Norns could. You look breathtaking this morning. Love that shade of red on you. Very vampy. What is it you once told me? Red gives you the extra oomph when you are having a shitty day.”

The only person who knew that was Raine. “Who told you that?”

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My Review: I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Grimnirs is book #3 in the Runes series. I haven't read any of the other books, and I don't think that impacted my enjoyment in the least. This is an urban fantasy featuring Norse mythology which is rather timely with the recent release of the latest Thor movie. This story starts out interesting, pulling the reader in from the very first page. I will admit that I wish I had read the other books in the series and will pick them up when I have the chance.

Cora's memories don't quite mesh with what she's seeing. While she thought she was stuck in a mental institution, she was also at school acing tests, updating her vlog, and juggling three guys. She's confused, especially given the mountain of evidence that suggests it really was her in both places at once. Poor Cora, saddled with overprotective parents, friends who keep her in the dark, and a gorgeous guy she wants but who thinks it's chivalrous to deny himself the pleasure of her company.

Romantic interest Echo is a swoon worthy alpha-male. Something about the way Ms. Walters wrote his character really got my motor humming. The feelings he has for Cora are so strong and sweet. He's equal parts strength and wit combined with just the right amount of angst and heartache, all wrapped up in a delicious exterior. One word for Echo: Yummy.

The story is mysterious and fun; it's just really good from beginning to end. Ms. Walters does an excellent job building suspense about Cora's memory dilemma. I think my favorite part was the characters, the way they interacted and the dialogue. The ending was especially satisfying, which should send any reader to Amazon in search of more Ednah Walters books.

Grimnirs is an upper YA fantasy romance due to mature content and sexual situations. I recommend it to ages 17+. If you enjoy mythology, you'll love this novel. The fantasy is intriguing and the romance sweet, just the way I like it.

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About the Author

EDNAH WALTERS grew up reading Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys and dreaming of one day writing her own stories. She is a stay-at-home mother of five humans and two American short-hair cats (one of which has ADHD) and a husband. When she is not writing, she’s at the gym doing Zumba or doing things with her family, reading, traveling or online chatting with fans.

Ednah is the author of The Guardian Legacy series, a YA fantasy series about children of the fallen angels, who fight demons and protect mankind. AWAKENED, the prequel was released by Pill Hill Press in September 2010 with rave reviews. BETRAYED, book one in the series was released by her new publisher Spencer Hill Press in June 2012 and HUNTED, the third installment, will be released April 2013. She’s working on the next book in the series, FORGOTTEN. Visit her at www.ednahwalters.com

Ednah also writes YA paranormal romance. RUNES is the first book in her new series. IMMORTALS is book 2. She just released book 3, GRIMNIRS December 2, 2013. Read more about this series and the world she's created here www.runestheseries.com

Under the pseudonym E. B. Walters, Ednah writes contemporary romance. SLOW BURN, the first contemporary romance with suspense, was released in April 2011. It is the first book in the Fitzgerald family series. Since then she has published four more books in this series. She's presently working on book six. You can visit her online at or www.ebwalters.com.

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Book Highlight: The Saving of Benjamin Chambers by Anna Bloom - Excerpt & Giveaway!

The Saving of Benjamin Chambers

Anna Bloom

New Adult Contemporary Romance
Published December 4th, 2013

Benjamin Chambers needs saving, he just does not know it yet. Bored of his life of repetitive gigs with a band going nowhere fast and one night stands with girls who are only interested in his role as a lead singer, something has got to change. It’s just what do you do when the only life you know involves messing around with guitars and attempting to run away from any female attention that comes your way.

Ben has a New Year’s resolution and one that he is determined to keep, quit the band and get a life of his own. Little does Ben realise that on his last night with his band Sound Box he is going to meet a girl who will turn everything he knows upside down.

As Ben sets himself the challenge to find ‘The Girl’ again, he may be about to learn that in an effort to rescue her, he himself will be the one to be saved.

Amazon

       Delilah, Lilah or whatever she is called is, standing over on the far side of the room, her back against the wall wearing a figure-hugging red, floor-length dress. Her dark hair and eyes stand out in contrast. She looks like a Forties movie star, all curves and perfect poise, watching everyone with a critical eye. She hates this place and she hates the people that are here, that is clear to me straight away.
       I want to jump off the stage to get to her. I can’t tear my eyes away, even though Dave has picked up my guitar and shoved it back into my hands, hissing, “play, you idiot.”
       I am walking to the front of the stage still staring when I notice that I am being watched but not by her.
       Some guy who looks like a pretentious arsehole is watching me watch her and then he starts to move across the floor to get to her before I can leave the stage. I am stuck like a rabbit in headlights, rooted to the spot as I watch him clearly move towards her like he is proving he has ownership.
       When he gets to her he pulls her in close and winds his hands around her waist. I have to physically restrain myself from leaping off the stage and punching him. That’s what I want to do, a deep urge burning inside me. Jump from the stage, bop him on the nose, hopefully causing significant blood loss, and then throw her over my shoulder and march her off with her someplace. Someplace where I can kiss her and talk to her, in no particular order. Then I may well ask her to marry me because I am pretty sure that I want to.
       I don’t though, I don’t move from my spot on the edge of the stage. I start to play my guitar instead but not the song the rest of the band are expecting. Luckily it has a long intro so they are able to catch up.
       As I start to sing ‘Wonderwall’ I watch as the banker wanker twirls her onto the dance floor.
       It’s not a song for twirling, what is he doing the bloody arse?
      She has her hands on his shoulders and her back to me but I can clearly see an enormous diamond ring sitting on her left hand from my spot quite a distance away on stage.
       Damn it to hell.
     I nearly stop singing, but I hold it together and as I head into the second verse my choice of song becomes even more appropriate.
      The banker wanker pulls her in even tighter and I get a nasty taste in the back of my mouth. I am just in the middle of the chorus when they take a turn and I catch a glimpse of her face.
      That’s what does it. That very moment gives me something completely different to live for.
       Her.
      She is biting her lower lip and the beautiful eyes are staring far away in the distance, framed by a frown. She looks like she would rather be anywhere then where she is right now. She looks lost, but on top of that she looks lonely and I feel a bubble of something well up inside me, something like joy. Joy at the fact that this guy holding her, who’s obviously bought her the ring, has no idea what she is feeling. I don’t think he has looked at her face once, not to read it the way that I am. This is good. It means that if I can get to talk to her again then I can make sure my words are the right ones, the ones to make her notice me, the ones to make her want to at least talk to me. And, well, if that fails then I will just crinkle my freckles at her, pick her up and throw her over my shoulder and march off with her hoping for the best.
       I know that I will do anything to save her from whatever is causing her sadness and by doing that I have a feeling she will save me.

Anna Bloom is a contemporary romance writer who writes about life as it happens. Combining a busy schedule of looking after two small children whilst working in a local school and completing The Uni Files series she also spends a lot of time imagining kissing hot guys – all in the name of her art.

                  Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads 

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Book Blast: The Reaping by Annie Oldham - Excerpt & $50 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway!

The Reaping 

Annie Oldham

 The government is on the verge of perfecting its loyalty serum, and Terra knows exactly what that means—the agents will have absolute control. Terra has survived the labor camp, the agents, and the soldiers who hound her as she brings nomads to the water's edge. But now she faces her most daunting challenge yet: she must return to the colony to ask the council—and her father—to help her destroy the loyalty serum. With the aid of old friends and unexpected allies, Terra races toward a confrontation that will decide her fate on the Burn forever.

Buy the ebook: Amazon * Apple * B&N * Smashwords Buy the paperback: Amazon * CreateSpace

Excerpt

The soldiers shrug and look around for a few seconds more before disappearing across the grove to cover more ground. The helicopter lifts into the air and flies above the forest. Our tree sways under its down draft. My foot loses its grip on the branch and I slip, my hands grappling the biting bark as my legs flail out from under me, and Jack catches my hand just in time to keep me from falling. We stay that way—me with one hand on the branch, Jack clinging to my other hand and the tree for all he’s worth—until the sweat is pouring into my eyes and both of our muscles are screaming for relief. I haven’t heard the soldiers for probably five minutes, and the helicopter sounds at least two miles away. I finally let myself relax and Jack pulls me back up onto the branch, and I let my cheek rest on the bark. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. Jack sits down on the branch, his legs dangling on either side as he leans against the trunk.
“I knew it would be like this. I knew it would be. I just didn’t imagine it would start so soon. That first week in the colony, I checked my back after leaving and entering every room.” His shoulders slump. “It was so strange to feel safe again. Jessa teased me every time I did it.” He looks at me and arches an eyebrow. “For being twins, you two are completely different. After a couple of weeks, I finally relaxed. I’m going to pick up the habit again pretty quickly.” I nod, and the tree bark scratches my cheek. I don’t know if I’ll ever stop checking my back.


Author Annie Oldham Annie Oldham grew up with an insatiable desire to read and came away with the insatiable desire to write. Away from her writing, she's the mother of the three most adorable girls in the world, has the best husband in the world, and lives in the hottest place in the world (not really, but Phoenix sure feels like it).

Website * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads

 

BookBlast Giveaway $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 12/31/13 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal: Hero, Cursed by Diantha Jones

Before he knew the Oracle...

Before he knew the Quad...

Before the Great Unknown threatened his world...

He was a hero, cursed forever.

Cover Designed by: Colin F. Barnes

Publication Date: March 18, 2014

Genre: YA Mythology

Series: Mythos: Stories from Olympus #2/Oracle of Delphi #3.5

*WARNING* To be read after Prophecy of Solstice's End (Oracle of Delphi #3). 

Contains MAJOR spoilers!

Shunned by a family that doesn't understand him, demigod Lenka Tahile aka "Swindle" is a complete loner and he likes it that way. Then he meets the hero, Ace Remedy, the brother of an infamous demigod Prince, and his life goes from bad to worse. Ace is loud, rude, and disruptive to his peaceful existence in every way. He's also hilarious and daring, and Swindle ends up finding a friend just when he thought he'd never have another.

But little does he know, becoming friends with Ace was all part of the Fates' plan. Now his past is slowly coming back to haunt him and there's nothing he can do to stop it. Nothing but try not to bring to light the lost love, the failed hopes, and the cursed existence that he would kill to keep in the dark.

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Five Facts about Hero, Cursed

1. Lenka Tahile is a South African name. The MC was born in South Africa.

2. "Swindle" is Lenka's celestial name. He is a son of Hermes. Figure it out.

3. The hawk on the cover is not a tattoo. His name is Bill and he's Swindle's Fauna Morph, an animal that morphs into a weapon on command.

4. Though it isn't showcased on the cover, Swindle has extremely curly hair. Out of control, I tell you.

5. Just like Solar, Defeated, this novella switches back and forth between the present and the past, and reveals what life was like for Swindle before the Oracle of Delphi came along.

Mythos: Stories from Olympus #1

Amazon  |  Barnes&Noble  |  Goodreads

Diantha Jones was born the day thousands of turkeys sacrificed their lives to fill millions of American bellies on November 22 which also happened to be Thanksgiving Day (Her mother says she owes her a turkey). She is a Journalism graduate who wants to be a career novelist (of books, not Facebook posts). When not writing or working, she is reading on her Nook, being hypnotized by Netflix or on a mission to procure french fries.

The Oracle of Delphi fantasy series is her first series. She is also the author of Mythos: Stories from Olympus, a companion series, and there is another fantasy series in the works. She also writes (new) adult fantasy/paranormal romance under the name A. Star. Invasion (An Alien Romance) is her first title released under this pen name. Future releases under A. Star include, Mythos: Gods and Lovers series, the Love & Steampunk series, the Purr, Inc. stories, and more.

Website  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Goodreads  |  Amazon  |  Pinterest  |  DJ's Book Corner

Cover Reveal: Donners of the Dead by Karina Halle

Donners of the Dead

 

Karina Halle

 

Horror Romance

Expected Release: February 24, 2014

 

 

Blurb

 

***A Standalone Horror Romance coming February 2014***

Jake McGraw was unlike anyone I’d ever known. He was brash, rude, unapologetic and arrogant; chauvinistic, close-minded, and terribly stubborn. He was built like a tree, tall with a hard chest and wide shoulders and hands that looked like they could wrestle a bear. He was a cigar-chomping, scruffy-faced, beast of a man. I was pretty sure I hated him. And I know he hated me. But among the flesh-eating monsters in these snow-capped mountains, he was the only thing keeping me alive

The year is 1851 and pioneers in search of California gold are still afraid to travel on the same route as the tragic Donner party did years before. When the last wagon train to go into the Sierra Nevada mountains fails to arrive at their destination, Eve Smith, an 18-year old half-native girl with immense tracking skills is brought along with the search party, headed by an enigmatic former Texas Ranger, Jake McGraw.

What they find deep in the dangerous snow-covered terrain is a terrifying consequence of cannibalism, giving new meaning to the term “monster.” While the search party is slowly picked off, one by one, Eve must learn to trust Jake, who harbors more than a few secrets of his own, in order to survive and prevent the monstrosities from reaching civilization.

***This is NOT New Adult***

 

About the Author

 



The daughter of a Norwegian Viking and a Finnish Moomin, Karina Halle grew up in Vancouver, Canada with trolls and eternal darkness on the brain. This soon turned into a love of all things that go bump in the night and a rather sadistic appreciation for freaking people out. Like many of the flawed characters she writes, Karina never knew where to find herself and has dabbled in acting, make-up artistry, film production, screenwriting, photography, travel writing and music journalism. She eventually found herself in the pages of the very novels she wrote (if only she had looked there to begin with).

Karina holds a screenwriting degree from Vancouver Film School and a Bachelor of Journalism from TRU. Her travel writing, music reviews/interviews and photography have appeared in publications such as Consequence of Sound, Mxdwn and GoNomad Travel Guides. She currently lives on an island on the coast of British Columbia where she's preparing for the zombie apocalypse with her fiance and rescue pup. 

Author Links:

Website: http://experimentinterror.com/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4785031.Karina_Halle

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Karina-Halle/140649372629593?ref=ts&fref=ts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MetalBlonde



Blog Tour: The Awakening: Britton by Abby Niles - Spotlight & $50 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway

 

 

The Awakening: Britton

Abby Niles

Paranormal Romance
Entangled Covet

Available at Amazon * B&N



Blurb

"I would lick that man up one side and down the other."

Half-shifter and lead SPAC agent, Val Calhoun, has listened to women gush over the Don Juan of the precinct for the last four years. Yeah, Detective Britton Townsend is hot and has stunning blue eyes, but that foul mouth he saves only for her? What a waste of good looks. And no way does Val want that mouth anywhere near hers.

When the shifter community is threatened, Val is assigned to the case…and fails. So the High Council turns to the rogue shifter they'd sentenced to twenty years as a human--that same obnoxiously sexy Detective Townsend. And sends the two arch-enemies deep into the North Carolina Mountains-—together, and alone.

Being stuck in a tiny honeymoon cabin with Miss Castration and only one bed is definitely not Britton's idea of a good time. But the High Council doesn’t take no for an answer. After his shifter abilities are restored, Brit is once again susceptible to the dreaded, irreversible bonding instinct, the Drall. Thankfully, all he’s ever felt for Val is intense loathing, no reason to worry. Right? All he has to do is solve this case pronto, and he can go back to his footloose Casanova ways. That is, if they don’t kill each other first. Or worse...fall in love.

 About the Author

Ever since Abby Niles picked up her first Sweet Valley High book in sixth grade and fell in love with Elizabeth and Todd, she’s been hooked on romance. By the time she reached high school, she was devouring meatier romances with pirates, cowboys and knights. She never imagined that those years of reading would one day lead to her becoming a published author.

In her late twenties, after having twins and becoming a stay-at-home mom, she started doodling stories to keep her sanity. Next thing she knew, she was actually submitting to publishing houses. And was immediately rejected. That didn’t stop her though. She found some kickass critique partners, honed her craft, and continued submitting.

And eventually sold. 

Today, she juggles work, being a single mom, and writing. It’s not always easy, but hey, who said life was easy?

Abby is the author of the contemporary MMA romance, Extreme Love, the first book in her Love to the Extreme series. Fighting Love is scheduled to release in December of 2013 and Winning Love isscheduled for 2014.  She is also the author of the dark paranormal romance series The Awakening: Aidanand the The Awakening: Liam. The Awakening: Britton is scheduled to release in November 2013.Both series are with Entangled Publishing. She also has a geeky romantic comedy, Defying Convention, with Carina Press. 

Website: http://www.abbynilesauthor.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/abbyniles

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

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/AbbyNiles

Newsletter:  http://goo.gl/wQZyKi

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Blog Tour: The Boy from the Woods by Jen Minkman - Trailer & Excerpt

 

 

The Boy from the Woods

Jen Minkman

YA Contemporary Romance

Available at Amazon * B&N * Apple * Kobo



Blurb

Julia fell down on her knees next to his lifeless body, her heart filling with dread as she noticed the left side of his face was covered in blood. He had fallen off the motorbike, hitting his temple on a sharp-edged rock. His head injury looked really, really bad.
“Michael?” she whispered softly, putting a trembling hand on his forehead. “Can you hear me?”

Julia has been in love with Michael for years. He’s the hottest guy in school, and she can’t believe her luck when they finally hit it off during Senior Prom. Her dream doesn’t last, though: after a few dates, he callously dumps her out of the blue. Summer vacation starts with Julia feeling heart-broken and miserable.
But then she rescues Michael in the woods when he has a motorcycle accident in a heavy thunderstorm. From that point onward, her life is turned upside down. Michael has changed completely after the blow to the head that nearly killed him... and he wants her back. But why is he so different? And will she be able to trust him this time around?

Can the boy who broke your heart ever win it back again..?

 



Soundtrack to the Book-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK1Y2NxNRAY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7XipXNwdUs 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnqviSljxLY

 

 

Excerpt

 

Julia wiped the raindrops from her cheeks and trudged doggedly on. The rhythm of the song spurred her on and made her run faster, her heart beating wildly in her chest, tapping out an indeterminate fear. Her hands clenched into fists and her eyes squinted against the rain falling from the sky. Only a few more minutes and she’d be home.

 

And then something caught her eye. She froze. In the light of a bright lightning strike setting the forest ablaze with cold fire, she saw there was someone lying on the ground. The black stain of a person on the edge of the path. A motorcycle on its side, smack in the middle of the forest trail.

 

Julia came to a standstill, her breath ragged. With trembling, slippery fingers, she fumbled with the player to turn off the music. She’d ended up at her favorite oak tree, the place suddenly looking sinister in the gloom. Her throat turned dry as she peered at the unconscious figure on the forest trail. Step by step, she shuffled forward. Her eyes followed the tire tracks that the motorcycle had made in the muddy soil. Julia’s heart stopped when she came even closer and recognized the Honda bike.

 

No – this couldn’t be happening. She rushed the last few yards separating her from the boy on the ground. Julia fell down on her knees next to his lifeless body, her stomach filling with dread as she noticed the left side of his face was covered in blood. He’d hit his head on a sharp-edged rock. His head injury looked really, really bad.

 

“Michael?” she whispered softly, putting a trembling hand on his forehead. “Can you hear me?”

 

He lay very still, his lips almost blue in the macabre light of the thunderstorm flashing occasionally. If only she could see whether he was still breathing! She couldn’t hear him breathe over the din of the rain and wind in the woods.

 

With shaking hands, she grabbed her cell phone from her jacket pocket, setting the camera to permanent flash. The bright light illuminated Michael’s face, and tears welled up in her eyes. He looked so lifeless… so vulnerable. For just a moment, she forgot all about the horrible way he’d treated her. She’d wished for all kinds of nasty things to happen to him, but not this.

 

“Michael,” she sobbed, her voice breaking. “Please, please wake up.”

 

Her heart skipped a beat when he suddenly inhaled sharply. She took his hand. Very slowly he opened his eyes, green like the forest leaves he was lying under, his pupils dilated and black like the treacherous darkness that had caused him to slip and fall in this severe weather.

 

“Julia,” he whispered in a soft, yet clear voice.

 

She swallowed.

 

Why did he sound so different? He pronounced her name with so much emotion that she could almost believe he was seeing her for the first time.

 

“I’ll get help,” she managed to stutter before his eyes fell shut again, her words making him smile faintly.

 

About the Author

 

Jen Minkman (1978) was born in Holland, in the town of Alphen aan den Rijn. When she was 19, she moved between The Hague, Salzburg (Austria), Brussels (Belgium) and Cambridge (UK) to complete her studies in intercultural communication. She is currently a teacher of English, career counsellor and teenage coach at a secondary school in Voorburg, Holland. She tries to read at least 100 books a year (and write a few, too!). She is a published author in her own country, and translates her own books from Dutch into English for self-publication.

In her spare time, she plays the piano, the guitar and the violin. For every novel she writes, she creates a soundtrack.

'I have always been drawn to writing. My first book was a sci-fi novel at the age of eight, which I painstakingly typed out on my dad's typewriter and illustrated myself. Nowadays, I stick to poetry, paranormal romance, chicklit and/or fantasy. In my home country, I am the first-ever published writer of paranormal romance, and I will gradually make my books also available in English (seeing I have to re-write and translate the books myself, this will take some time!).

Links-

Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5808037.Jen_Minkman

Website-http://www.nwelsaturay.com/jenminkman/index.html

Twitter- https://twitter.com/JenMinkman

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/JenMinkmanYAParanormal?fref=ts