Dreamland Book Blog: Promo

Wednesday, December 13, 2017 No comments

About the Book

Amalie Whitfield is the picture of a blushing bride during her wedding reception–but for all the wrong reasons. Instead of proclaiming his undying love, her husband can be heard, by Amalie and their guests, getting off with someone else. She has every reason to freak out, and in a moment of insanity, she throws herself at the first hot-blooded male she sees. But he’s not interested in becoming her revenge screw.

Mortified and desperate to escape the post-wedding drama, Amalie decides to go on her honeymoon alone, only to find the man who rejected her also heading to the same tiny island for work. But this time he isn’t holding back. She should know better than to sleep with someone she knows, but she can’t seem to resist him.

They might agree that what happens on the island should stay on the island, but neither one can deny that their attraction is more than just physical.

Filled with hilariously scandalous situations and enough sexual chemistry to power an airplane from New York City to the South Pacific, Hooking Up is the next standalone, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy from Helena Hunting, the New York Times bestselling author of the Pucked series and Shacking Up.

Author Links

https://www.facebook.com/helena.hunting

https://twitter.com/helenahunting

https://www.instagram.com/helenahunting/

https://www.amazon.com/Helena-Hunting/e/B00HHM5MLQ

Chapter 1

One

Wedding Unbliss

Amie

This is the happiest day of my life. I allow that thought to roll around in my head, trying to figure out why it doesn’t seem to resonate the way it should. This should be the happiest day of my life. So I’m not exactly certain why the uneasy feeling I associate with cold feet is getting worse rather than dissipating. I’ve already done the hard part; walked down the aisle and said “I do.”

My husband excused himself to go to the bathroom several minutes ago and, based on Armstrong’s itinerary for the day, speeches are supposed to begin promptly at eight-thirty. According to my phone, that’s less than two minutes from now, and he’s not here. The emcee for the evening is awaiting Armstrong’s return before he begins. And then the real party can start. The one where we get to celebrate our commitment to each other as partners for life. As in the rest of my breathing days. Dear God, why does that make my stomach twist?

I sip my white wine. Armstrong pointed out that red is not a good idea with my dress, even though it’s my preference. Besides, I don’t want it to stain my teeth. That would make for bad pictures.

I glance around the hall and see my parents, who are probably celebrating the fact that I didn’t walk down the aisle with a convicted felon. And frankly, so am I. My dating history pre-Armstrong wasn’t fabulous.

The sheer number of people in attendance spikes my anxiety. Speaking in front of all of these people makes me want to drink more, which is a bad idea. Tipsy speeches could lead to saying the wrong thing. I check my phone under the table again. It’s after eight-thirty. The longer Armstrong takes to return, the further behind we’ll get. The music playlist, devised by Armstrong with painstaking efficiency, leaves no room for tardiness. If we don’t start on time I’ll have to take out a song, or possibly two, to compensate for his delay and he’s selected the order in such a way as to make that difficult and that will annoy him. I just want today to be perfect. I want it to be reflective of my decision to marry Armstrong. That I, Amalie Whitfield, can make good choices and am not a disgrace to my family.

“Where the hell is he?” I scan the room and take another small sip of my wine. I should switch to water soon so I don’t end up drunk, especially later, when all of this is over and we can celebrate our lifelong commitment to each other without clothes on. I’m hopeful it will last more than five minutes.

Ruby, my maid of honor and best friend for the past decade, puts a hand on my shoulder. “Would you like Bancroft to find Armstrong?”

Bancroft, or Bane for short, is Ruby’s boyfriend who she’s been living with for several months. Recently I find myself getting a little jealous of how affectionate they still are with each other, even after all this time. Cohabitation hasn’t slowed them down on the sex or their PDA. I have hope that Armstrong and I will be more like Bane and Ruby now that we’ll be sharing the same bed every night.

I’m about to tell Ruby to give him another minute when a low buzz suddenly fills the hall. It sounds like a school PA system. I start to panic—they can’t start the speeches without Armstrong at my side. What’s the point of speeches if the groom isn’t present?

I’m halfway out of my seat, ready to tell the deejay, or whoever is behind the mic, he needs to wait, when a very loud moan echoes through the room. The acoustics are phenomenal in here, it’s why we chose this venue.

I glance at Ruby to make sure I’m not hearing things. Her eyes are wide. The kind of wide associated with shock. The same shock I’m feeling.

Another moan reverberates through the sound system, followed by the words, “Oh, fuuuck.”

A collective gasp ripples through the now-silent crowd. While the words themselves are scandalous among these guests, it’s the voice groaning them that makes me sit up straighter, and simultaneously consider hiding under the table.

“Fuck yeah. Ah, suck it. That’s it. Deep throat it like a good little slut. Fuuuuuccckkkkk.”

My mouth drops and I look to Ruby to ensure I have not completely lost my mind. “Is that—” I don’t finish the sentence. I already know the answer to the question, so it’s pointless to ask. Besides, I’m cut off by yet another loud groan. I clap a hand over my mouth because I’m not sure I’m able to close it, my disbelief is as vast as the ocean.

Ruby’s expression mirrors mine, except hers is incredibly animated since she’s an actress. “Oh my God. Is that Armstrong?” Her words are no more than a whisper, but they sound very much like a scream. Oh no, wait, that’s just Armstrong on the verge of an orgasm. But these sounds are nothing like the ones he makes when he’s in the throes of passion with me.

I clutch Ruby’s hand. The next sound that comes from him is a hybrid between a hyena laugh and a wolf baying at the moon. And every guest at our wedding is hearing the same thing I am. Our wedding. Someone other than me is blowing my husband at my own wedding. My mortification knows no end.

I grab the closest bottle of wine and dump the contents into my glass. Some of it sloshes over the edge and onto the crisp white tablecloth. It doesn’t matter. There’s plenty more where it came from. I chug the glass, then grab Ruby’s.

People lean in and whisper to each other, eyes lift to the speakers. A few people, the ones who are probably just here for the social-ladder-climbing potential, question who it is.

“Is the deejay watching porn?” That comment comes from a table full of mostly drunk singles in their early twenties.

Several eyes shift my way as I carelessly down Ruby’s wine and someone asks where the groom has disappeared to.

The grunts and groans grow terrifyingly louder. This is nothing like what I’m used to in bed with Armstrong. The dirty words aren’t something he ever uses with me, mostly it’s just noises and sometimes a “Right there” or “I’m close,” but that’s about it. He’s never talked to me like he is to the woman currently providing oral pleasure. And I’m very adept at oral. Although with Armstrong it’s very polite, neat oral, with no sounds other than the occasional hum. Slurping is uncivilized and a definite no-no.

I reach past Ruby for the bottle of red since I don’t really give a flying fuck about purple teeth right now. As I sink low in my seat I pour another glass of wine, surveying the people in the ballroom from behind the cover of the centerpiece. The centerpieces are huge and excessive and I don’t like them at all, but at least provides a protective barrier between the guests and my disgust, which I’m certain they must share. He sounds like a wild animal rutting. It is entirely unsexy. I have no idea who he’s getting intimate with, but I’m suddenly very glad it’s not me.

And doesn’t that tell me more about our relationship than it should.

It’s only been about thirty seconds—the most humiliating thirty seconds of my life—before Armstrong comes. How do I know this? Because he says, very clearly, “Keep sucking, baby, I’m coming.”

And “baby,” whoever she is, makes these horrific gurgling noises. It sounds like some form of alien communication. It’s way over the top, and apparently Armstrong is loving it, based on the string of vile profanity that spews from his asshole mouth.

“Holy crap. Is this for real? That was really fast,” Ruby mutters.

I guzzle my glass of wine. Then decide the glass is unnecessary and take a long swig from the bottle before Ruby snatches it away. Wine dribbles down my chin and onto my chest, staining the white satin purple. My dress is ruined. I should be freaking out. But I really don’t care.

“Come on,” Ruby tugs on my hand. “We need to get you out of here while people are still distracted.”

My older brother Pierce and the emcee are standing in the middle of the hall, gesturing wildly to the speakers above us. My other brother, Lawson, is on his way toward the podium in an attempt to do something. I don’t think there’s anything he can do to stop this train wreck from there.

Ruby tugs again, but I’m frozen, still trying to figure out what exactly just happened. Well, I know what’s happened. I just can’t believe it.

The sound of a zipper and the rustle of clothes follows. “Thanks for that, now I’ll be able to last later tonight,” Armstrong says.

“What about me?” A female asks. Her voice is nasally and whiny.

“What about you?”

“Well I helped you, aren’t you going to help me?”

“Didn’t you come with a date?”

“Well, yes, but—” God her voice is familiar. I just can’t figure out where I know it from.

“My cousin, right? He loves my sloppy seconds. Speeches are starting. I gotta get back to my ball and chain.”

Gasps of horror ripple through the room, followed by a few giggles. These people really are assholes.

I think I’m going to throw up. I can’t believe he’s going to come out here and pretend nothing just happened. Like some other woman didn’t just have her lips around his cock. His distinctly average cock. Maybe even slightly below average in length, if I’m being one hundred percent honest.

A door opens and closes.

Lawson turns on the mic behind the podium and taps it, sending screeching feedback through the room, making people cringe. Too bad no one did that a minute ago.

Murmuring grows louder and glances flicker to the head table and then away as Brittany Thorton, a seriously skanky debutante, comes strutting through the doors, using a compact to check her lipstick. She’s made it her mission to attempt to get into the pants of half the eligible men in this room. She’s followed, not five seconds later, by a very smug-looking Armstrong.

“I’m going to kill him.” I grab the closest steak knife, but it appears my hasty, and possibly felonious, plan is unnecessary. My brothers leave their respective posts and stalk toward him. Across the room my mother is gripping my father’s arm, whispering furiously in his ear. Great. Just what I need, additional family drama.

“Oh shit,” Ruby gasps.

I follow her gaze to find Bane converging on Armstrong with my brothers. Bancroft is a tank and he used to play professional rugby. I’ve seen him with his shirt off, he’s built like a superhero and he’ll probably crush Armstrong, or at least break something. Possibly multiple somethings.

For a second I consider that Ruby should probably stop Bane from destroying Armstrong’s pretty, regal face, but then I realize I don’t actually care. In fact, the possibility that he might break Armstrong’s perfectly straight nose fills me with glee. Armstrong’s wellbeing is no longer my concern, it’s more about Bane ending up in prison for murder.

“I hope Armstrong has a good plastic surgeon, he’s going to need it once Bane is done with him.” Ruby echoes my internal hopes and her chair tips as she jumps up. “Come on, let’s get you out of here.” She nods to the right.

I notice my mother and father engaged in a heated discussion with Armstrong’s parents. I really don’t need this right now. Not the drama. Not the humiliation. All I wanted was a nice wedding. Instead I end up with a husband who gets a blow job during our reception—and it’s broadcast to everyone attending.

Ruby urges me into action. “Don’t worry about them. Get your stuff and we’ll get you the hell out of here. I’ll have the limo meet you by the entrance near your bridal suite as soon as I can.”

I nod and stumble unsteadily to my feet, thanks to having consumed the better part of a bottle of wine in the last minute and a half. It’s amazing how ninety seconds can change a person’s entire life.

All hell breaks loose as more men jump in to either pummel or extract Armstrong from the pummeling. I grab my clutch and phone from the table, gather up my stupid, too puffy gown, and head for the bridal suite, where I had prepared for what was supposed to be the most amazing day of my life. And now it’s likely the worst, at least I hope the mortification level I’m experiencing can’t exceed this. I feel like the foulest version of Cinderella ever.

I rush down the empty hall and grab the doorknob as I fumble around in my clutch for the key. I’m surprised when it turns. I thought I’d locked it before we left for the ceremony. Regardless, I need to get away from everyone before I either lose it or commit a felony. Maybe both. Murder in the first. Armstrong will be my victim. And maybe that horrible skank, Brittany.

I thrust the door open and slam it closed behind me, locking it from the inside. Tears threaten to spill over and ruin my makeup. Not that it matters since there’s no way I’m going out there again. I can’t believe my forever lasted less than twelve hours. I can’t believe the man I’m supposed to spend the rest of my life loving couldn’t be faithful to me for even one day. What the hell is wrong with me? With him? I’m as devastated as I am angry and embarrassed. Once I annul this farce of a marriage I’ll become a spinster. I should probably go ahead and adopt six or seven cats tonight.

“I need to get out of this dress,” I say to myself. I reach behind me and pull the bow at the base of my spine. Instead of unfurling, it knots and I only succeed in pulling it tighter. Of course my dress has to be difficult. I growl my annoyance and rush over to my dressing table where my makeup and perfume are scattered from earlier today. Half a mimosa sits unconsumed beside the vase of red roses Armstrong had delivered.

The card read: I can’t wait to spend forever loving you.

What a load of bullshit. I drain the contents of the champagne flute, not caring that the drink is warm and flat. Then I throw the glass, because it feels good and the sound of shattering crystal is satisfying. Next I heave the vase of roses, which explodes impressively against the wall, splattering water and shards of glass across the floor.

I yank out a couple of the drawers and find a pair of scissors. They actually look more like gardening shears and seem rather out of place, but I don’t question it. Instead I reach behind me with my back to the mirror and awkwardly try to cut myself free. It’s not easy with the way I have to crane my neck.

“Goddammit! I need to get out of this stupid dress!” I yell at my reflection. I think I might actually be losing it just a touch now. I stop messing around with the laces in the back and shove the scissors down the front. I nearly nick myself with the blade—they’re a lot sharper than I realized—but that doesn’t slow me down. I start hacking my way through the bodice; layers of satin, lace, and intricate beading sliced apart with every vicious snip.

I just want out of this nightmare.

Thursday, October 05, 2017 No comments

Ignited by Suzannah Daniels (Whiskey Nights #2) Publication date: December 30th 2014 Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

~ SYNOPSIS ~

James “Hawk” Hawkins always knew he’d be a firefighter. At twenty-four years of age, he’s dedicated his entire adulthood to the perilous job of saving lives and extinguishing flames. After a chance encounter, he carries a young woman to safety, but it’s unlike any rescue he’s ever performed. She touches something deep inside of him, not because he finds her attractive, which he does, but because she doesn’t want to be saved. For the first time in his life, he doesn’t need to put out a fire…he needs to start one. Twenty-year-old Amber Lawson escaped to the small town of Creekview, Tennessee. She was running…fleeing from a tragedy that left her heartbroken and shrouded in despair. Struggling with the desolation that has engulfed her, she tries to start anew, hoping that if she evades the reminders of her past, she can slowly begin to heal. Hawk is determined to rekindle her passion for life. Along the way, he realizes that’s not the only passion he wants to ignite. With his heart on the line, it could be his most hazardous rescue yet. Plus, a bonus scene from Mason and Lexi of WASTED. IGNITED is the second book in the WHISKEY NIGHTS series. Since each book focuses on a different couple, they can be read as stand-alones, but many readers may prefer to read them in order for maximum enjoyment.

WHISKEY NIGHTS SERIES ORDER

Wasted #1

Ignited #2 (coming December 30, 2014)

Deceived #3 (coming 2015)

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23163990-ignited

~ AUTHOR BIO ~

Suzannah Daniels has had an affinity for words for as long as she can remember. She grew up in North Georgia with four brothers, so she learned at an early age to admire snakes and motorcycles. When she wasn't pestering her brothers, she could usually be found reading or writing. She has an Associates Degree in Electrical Engineering, but her passion is writing. She is the author of Viking's Embrace, a historical romance, and Ghostly Encounter, Book One of her Ghostly series (young adult paranormal romance). Currently, she lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee with her husband and her teenage daughter. Her son lives nearby. The family pets include a Lab mix, a Basset Hound, a Shih Tzu, and a sweet, little kitty.

~ AUTHOR LINKS ~

http://www.suzannahdaniels.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Suzannah-Daniels/366971616695887

https://twitter.com/SuzannahDaniels

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6434142.Suzannah_Daniels

~ EXCERPT~

Chapter 1

Extrication

Hawk

I released the string, and the arrow whooshed through the air, sinking into the center of the bull’s-eye with a thud. Turning toward Cade Mayfield, who’d been a lifelong friend, I pointed at him and said, “You owe me a beer.”

“Man!” He shook his head in disbelief, running a hand through his dark hair. “I didn’t think there’s any way you could sink five in a row.”

“You were wrong, as usual.”

“Just for that….” A loud noise exploded in the air, squealing brakes, scraping metal, shattering glass.

Cade whipped his head in my direction. “What the hell?”

Being a firefighter, my instincts kicked in, and I scrambled up the steep embankment that would lead us out of the ravine that had provided a safe and secluded spot for target practice.

“Damn,” I muttered as the acrid smell of burning rubber assaulted my nostrils. I paused for a moment as I heard a noise with which I was all too familiar.

Flames.

Scurrying into action, Cade and I rushed up the last bit of ridge that led to the rural road that connected downtown Creekview, Tennessee with the agricultural areas.

A huge black plume of smoke came into view, spiraling into the orange glow of the sky as the sun began drifting below the horizon, and as we pushed ourselves up on the pavement, we could see the mangled SUV lying on its side. An outer layer of bark had been peeled off a tall pine tree, exposing the raw wood. A quick assessment told me that the SUV had sideswiped it, and I assumed the driver had overcorrected, toppling the SUV in the process.

A woman’s frantic scream pierced the air as thick flames in varying hues of orange engulfed the rear of the vehicle.

“Shit, she’s trapped,” I yelled to Cade. “You got something we can bust out the window with?” I pointed at his truck, parked a few feet behind us.

“Yeah.” He turned and ran to retrieve it.

Rushing to the SUV, I saw a woman beating her fist against the windshield. “Help!” she screamed above the crackling fire. The urgency in her voice reminded me of the nightmares that plagued me, and a shudder crept down my spine as I raced toward the vehicle.

“Get back!” I yelled.

“Help!” she screamed, her fists thumping repeatedly on the windshield. “Help me!”

“Get back!”

Frantically, she continued to beat against the glass that held her captive in the burning automobile.

“Back up!” I yelled one more time as I started kicking the glass. When I could tell she had backed away, I delivered more powerful kicks. The glass cracked, sending spidery veins shooting along the surface. Sweat beaded on my forehead from the blistering heat of the flames. I kicked again.

And again.

Finally, I knocked a small hole in the glass.

Cade ran up beside me with a crowbar. “Move!”

Backing up, I swiped my palm across my forehead to keep the sweat from dripping in my eyes. He swung the crowbar, widening the hole as smoke and flames continued to billow out from the rear of the vehicle. Then he hooked the glass and yanked, a large circle of the safety glass peeling back.

“Hold up!” I yelled, stooping down as the woman began emerging from the hole. She frantically wriggled through the broken glass.

“Flanagan!” Cade yelled as he pulled her away from the burning vehicle.

Recognizing her last name, I realized that the woman who had just crawled from the wreckage was Seren Flanagan, a girl who’d been a couple of years behind Cade and me in high school.

“Is anyone else in the car?” I asked her.

“Yes!” she screeched, her hair tumbling around her shoulders. “Amber. Amber’s in the car.”

“Amber!” I yelled, my blood pumping furiously through my body as I watched the flames creep closer toward the front of the SUV.

Seren screamed as she began crying. “Get her out!”

Kicking the window, I widened the hole, giving me plenty of room to crawl into the car.

Amber, still securely fastened in the passenger seat by her seatbelt, dangled limply in the air. I tried to focus on her, well aware that the flames were gaining ground. “Release your seatbelt.”

“Just leave me,” she half-coughed, half-yelled.

Flames licked along her door.

“Release your seatbelt,” I repeated, feeling the pressure to get her out immediately.

She didn’t respond. Crawling farther into the car, I maneuvered until I could reach the release button. After a couple of tries, I finally managed to press it long enough to free her. Her weight landed on my shoulder, her body limp, and I reached out in an effort to steady myself. Shit, I didn’t know what I had grabbed but it was hot, and I jerked my hand away, losing my balance under her weight. Managing to roll her over in my arms, I positioned her feet at the hole in the windshield and supported her body as Cade reached down and helped extricate her. Once she was clear, I concentrated on getting myself out.

Amber lay on the ground, her eyes closed, her red-gold hair fanned out around her. I motioned for Cade to back up. “Get the hell away from here and call 911.”

Scooping her into my arms, I followed Cade far away from the burning vehicle, joining Seren who was still crying hysterically. I knew it was unlikely that the vehicle would blow, but I wasn’t going to take any chances. Glancing back at the SUV, I realized the flames had now engulfed the entire cab.

“Is she dead?” Seren screeched.

“She’s alive, but I’m not sure of the extent of her injuries.” I laid her on the ground, immediately feeling for a pulse in her neck. She was definitely alive. “Amber!”

Cade was on the phone with the dispatcher while I assessed the woman’s condition.

“Amber. Come on, Amber. Answer me,” I quietly urged her.

“She’s been drinking,” Seren informed me. “We were at a party, and she needed a ride home. I don’t even know her. All I know is that her name’s Amber, and she lives in a duplex close to my house. A deer ran out in front of me, and I swerved.” Her words tumbled from her mouth, a spurt of unorganized thoughts that served as her attempt to explain the situation as quickly as possible.

Her sobs stopped further conversation.

“It’s okay, Seren,” I said calmly. “Amber’s going to be fine. I want you to go over by Cade and wait with him for the emergency vehicles.”

She nodded and immediately obeyed. Hopefully, Cade could calm her down.

I closed my eyes, hoping that Seren would be okay. Blinking a few times to clear some of the irritation from the smoke, I focused on Amber. I could tell that she had minor burns on her right arm and hand, but it was the huge knot on her forehead that worried me.

“Cade,” I yelled. “Do you have any liquid?”

He turned and focused on me while he held the phone away from his ear.

“Do you have any liquid?” I repeated.

“I might have a couple of bottled waters.”

“Get them.” I turned my attention back to the girl. “Amber.”

Her eyes fluttered open, and as she focused on me, I noticed that her irises were a deep mossy green. I tried to assess her pupils, but something about her gaze drew me in and distracted me. Forcing myself to ignore the strange pull she seemed to have on me, I focused on the urgency of the moment.

Seren ran over with two bottled waters. I quickly opened them and poured them on Amber’s burns in an attempt to cool the skin. “You’re safe now.”

Her eyes closed and slowly reopened. “And what if I didn’t want to be saved?”

Now that we were away from the smoke, I could smell the alcohol on her breath. I’d helped plenty of people in emergency situations, and no one had ever asked me that. Was she suffering from a concussion or just drunk?

“Whatever it is, it can’t be so bad that you’d prefer a burning car.”

“At least then it’d be over.” Her eyes drifted closed again.

Leaning back on my heels with my hands resting on my thighs as I knelt beside her, I waited to see if she would open her eyes. She was underweight, her thin body lending an air of fragility. Something about her hopelessness called to my innate need to rescue.

I smoothed errant strands of red-gold hair away from her face, trying to decide the reason for her unresponsiveness.

“Can you tell me your name?” I asked loudly.

Her eyelids opened again. “Amber Lawson.” The fact that she answered coherently made me feel better.

“How old are you, Amber?”

“Twenty.”

“Where do you live?”

She looked at me and blinked.

“Do you know your address?”

The wail of sirens became louder as the first responders reached us. A police car pulled over to the side of the road, the ambulance not far behind him.

Turning over her care to the EMTs, I watched as the fire continued to burn, glowing brighter as the day darkened.

“Hawk,” the police officer said, walking up beside me. “Were you the first one on the scene?”

I didn’t have to look at him to know who it was. I’d been listening to that voice for most of my life. “Yeah, Cade and I just happened to be nearby doing a little target practice when we heard the wreck.”

Jace Hawkins, a rookie on the police squad who happened to be my little brother, let out a whistle.

“Lucky for them, y’all were here.”

“Yeah,” I said, nodding. “I guess so.”

I briefly explained to him what happened, and he slapped me on the back. “Good job. Guess I better go talk to the passengers.”

“Seren Flanagan was driving.”

“Really?” Jace peered around me, glancing in her direction. “I graduated high school with her.”

He walked away to discuss the accident with Amber and Seren.

Glancing at the EMTs, I noticed Amber was still lying on the ground in front of them. Jace spoke to her briefly and then approached Seren. I walked back over to see what was happening with Amber.

“She okay?”

I knew both the EMTs, although I only knew their last names. Hoffman, the more experienced of the two replied, “Possible concussion. I’d say the hospital will keep her overnight at the very least.” He nodded toward Seren. “She said she’s fine. She signed an AMA.”

I wasn’t surprised that Seren had signed the Against Medical Advice form, refusing treatment. Other than a few cuts and scrapes, she seemed to have escaped injury.

As Hoffman and his partner began loading Amber onto the stretcher, she began to get distraught.

“Who’s going to take care of Gracie?” Amber asked frantically.

The EMTs fastened her in and raised the stretcher.

“I don’t have anyone here who can take care of her.”

I could hear the panic in her voice, and I laid my hand on her arm to reassure her. “Who’s Gracie? Is that your daughter?”

She shook her head. “My cat.”

“You don’t have anyone who can take care of her? A friend? A neighbor?”

Her lower lip quivered, and the forlorn look in her eyes haunted me.

“No one?” I asked, unable to mask the surprise in my voice.

She pursed her lips and shook her head.

“You’ll probably be back home tomorrow,” I assured her.

Tears filled her eyes. “I woke up late this morning, and I didn’t have time to feed her. I promised her I would be back after work. But then I got invited to the party….”

“How about a co-worker?”

Her face scrunched up, and I assumed the alcohol that she had consumed was making her more emotional than normal. “I just started two days ago. I don’t know any of their numbers.”

I knew she needed someone, but me taking care of a cat? I was highly allergic to them, and just thinking about the pet dander made my eyes water. “You want me to check on her?”

The look of relief on her face was instant. “Would you?”

“Sure.”

“Her food is in the lower cabinet beside the refrigerator. She’ll probably go sit beside it when you go in because she’ll be expecting someone to feed her.”

Her slender fingers slid into her front pocket, and she pulled out a single key and handed it to me. After we exchanged information and she gave me her address, Hoffman loaded her into the ambulance, the red lights twirling through the increasing darkness.

I stared at the key in my hand, hoping that Gracie was one of those cats who would hide under the table when she saw a stranger. Sliding it into my front pocket as the ambulance drove away, I joined Cade and Seren who were talking to one of the firefighters.

The flames had finally been doused on the SUV, and it was a charred, wet, smoky mess.

“Guess I’m in the market for an automobile,” Seren said, a look of despair on her face as she stared at the card that Jace had given her with the police report information. She turned to us. “Thank you guys so much for getting us out of there. I’ve never been so scared in my entire life.”

Cade gave her a quick hug. “We’re just glad everything turned out okay. You need a ride home?”

“I would really appreciate it,” Seren said. “I guess we can go whenever you’re ready.”

“I’m ready. How about you, Hawk?”

“Yeah. I’ll be there in just a minute.”

Cade led Seren to the truck, and I turned back to the firefighter. His name was Bruno Wilkes, but his nickname was Mercury.

“Good job, man.” I slapped him on the back.

Mercury removed his mask. He motioned to our captain, who was standing by the pump panel on the fire engine having a discussion with the engineer. The emergency lights flickered over the scene. “Cap says you saved those two girls.”

“All in a day’s work, I guess. And Cade did just as much as I did.”

Mercury fist-bumped me. “That’s what it’s all about.”

I nodded. “Well, I’m going to head out. I just wanted to holler at you a minute.”

“All right, Hawk. See ya later.”

“Hold down the fort. Maybe we can grab a beer one night.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

I walked back to Cade’s truck and opened the door. Seren scooted to the middle of the bench seat, and I climbed in, sandwiching her between Cade and me.

“You okay?” I asked her.

She exhaled loudly. “I think so. It just scared me—badly.” She reached up and turned on the cab light while she held her hand in the air, her fingers trembling violently. “I’m still shaking.”

Cade put his arm around her and gave her a squeeze. “Just take deep breaths. You’re okay. Amber’s going to be okay. That’s all that matters.”

She leaned into Cade, and he held her a moment.

I knew how she felt. As many times as I’d responded to scenes like that, I never got used to it. Adrenaline flowed through my body like a raging river. My heart raced. The panic of the moment spurred me to action, but I always felt a certain amount of terror—not for my own safety. For me, it was a job. It’s what I did. No, for me, the terror was the fear of not getting to someone who needed my help in time.

I thought about Amber. I thought about her words. And what if I didn’t want to be saved?

For someone who made it his personal mission to save every person who needed help, her words haunted me.

I wondered what had happened to her, what had made her so sad that she could even say those words out loud.

What could make someone not want to be saved?

~ GIVEAWAY ~

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Tuesday, December 30, 2014 2 comments

We are thrilled to be a part of the book blitz for book two in the Tuttle Twins series hosted by Fire and Ice.

The Tuttle Twins and the Miraculous Pencil

by Connor Boyack

In this second book of the Tuttle Twins series, Mrs. Miner leads the twins and their classmates on a fun field trip to learn how pencils are made using parts from all over the world—and how in an economy, people from all over the world work together in harmony to produce helpful products that improve our lives. Teach your kids about the free market with a fun story and bright, engaging illustrations! Purchase

About the Author

Connor Boyack is president of Libertas Institute, a public policy think tank in Utah. He is the author of several books on politics and religion, along with hundreds of columns and articles championing individual liberty. His work has been featured on international, national, and local TV, radio, and other forms of media. A California native and Brigham Young University graduate, Connor currently resides in Lehi, Utah, with his wife and two children. Facebook * Twitter

About the Illustrator

Elijah Stanfield is owner of Red House Motion Imaging, a media production company in Washington. A longtime student of Austrian economics, history, and the classical liberal philosophy, Elijah has dedicated much of his time and energy to promoting the ideas of free markets and individual liberty. Some of his more notable works include producing eight videos in support of Ron Paul’s 2012 presidential candidacy. He currently resides in Richland, Washington, with his wife April and their five children.

Tuttle Twins on Facebook * Twitter

Follow the Fire and Ice Tuttle Twins Blog Tour for more chances to win

January 5 -Fire and Ice- Kick Off

January 6- Marie Leslie- Review

January 7- Dreamland Teenage Fantasy- Interview

January 8- Little Red Reads- Excerpt

January 9- The Elliott Review- Review

January 12- The Write Path- Review

January 13- CBY Book Club- Interview

January 14- The Things I Love Most- Review
January 15 - Sher A Hart Written Art - Review

January 16- Deal Sharing Aunt- Interview

The Giveaway

Enter to win $100 Amazon Giftcard or Paypal Cash

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Monday, December 29, 2014 No comments

I have once reviewed Ashley's Curse of the Beast and I am absolutely in love with it! It was a great joy when she contacted me again to help iin promoting her book blitz for free! So I am taking this opportunity to share this wonderful writing with you all, hope that it can make your day as how it made mine!

I am so excited!

Curse of the Beast is Free on Amazon, October 18-20!

Don't miss your chance to grab this young adult paranormal romance

Retelling of Beauty and the Beast with a werewolf twist.

A dark shadow stalks the night, watching her—waiting to claim what is his.

Seventeen-year-old Tayla Jonas longs for a simple life, but an ancient curse forces a werewolf to hunt her, to claim what is his. Will Tayla be strong enough to survive the Curse of the Beast? Or will it consume her like so many before? Find out in the first installment of this unique retelling of Beauty and the Beast. **2012 Whitney Award Nominee**

Curse of the Beast (bk 1)

Amazon ~ Goodreads

Star Cursed (bk2)

Amazon ~ Goodreads

After Star (bk3) Coming April 2014

Goodreads

About the Author

In addition to being a mother and wife, I teach at a charter school and enjoy scuba diving. I love to be adventurous and try new and exciting things. Some of the things I have done are sky diving, glacier hiking, cave spelunking, and kayaking on the ocean. I want to experience the world but will never be able to see it all so I write. It is like the world is at my figure tips when I open a word document and delve into another story. Oh, the places you'll go as Dr. Seuss says.

Books that are like mine: Beastly by Flinn, Alex; Scarlette by Davonna Juroe; Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock, Dragon Rose by Christine Pope, Scarlet Moon (Once upon a Time) by Debbie Viguié

Click your way into a great read and let the curse claim you!

I am so excited!

Curse of the Beast is Free on Amazon, October 18-20!

Don't miss your chance to grab this young adult paranormal romance

and

retelling of Beauty and the Beast with a werewolf twist.

A dark shadow stalks the night, watching her—waiting to claim what is his.

Curse of the Beast (bk 1)

Amazon ~ Goodreads

Star Cursed (bk2)

Amazon ~ Goodreads

After Star (bk3) Coming April 2014

Goodreads

About the Author

Books that are like mine: Beastly by Flinn, Alex; Scarlette by Davonna Juroe; Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock, Dragon Rose by Christine Pope, Scarlet Moon (Once upon a Time) by Debbie Viguié

Click your way into a great read and let the curse claim you!