Thursday, June 25, 2015

Trailer Reveal: Elude, by Rachel Van Dyken




The sixth book in the internationally bestselling Eagle Elite Series.
*Interconnected Stand Alone*

Twenty-Four hours before we were to be married--I offered to shoot her.
Ten hours before our wedding--I made a mockery of her dying wish.
Five hours before we were going to say our vows--I promised I'd never love her.
One hour before I said I do--I vowed I'd never shed a tear over her death.
But the minute we were pronounced man and wife--I knew.
I'd only use my gun to protect her.
I'd give my life for hers.
I'd cry.
And I would, most definitely, lose my heart, to a dying girl---a girl who by all accounts should have never been mine in the first place.
I always believed the mafia would be my end game--where I'd lose my heart, while it claimed my soul. I could have never imagined. It would be my redemption.
Or the beginning of something beautiful.
The beginning of her.
The end of us.

ADD TO GOODREADS





Amazon    iBooks   NOOK
















Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she's not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.
She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband, adorable son, and two snoring boxers! She loves to hear from readers!
Want to be kept up to date on new releases? Text MAFIA to 66866!
You can connect with her on Facebook www.facebook.com/rachelvandyken  or join her fan group Rachel's New Rockin Readers. Her website is www.rachelvandykenauthor.com 


Excerpt Reveal: Forsaken, by Lisa Renee Jones




Synopsis
In this third book in the sexy, suspenseful “The Secret Life of Amy Bensen” series from New York Times bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones, we meet Amy’s brother Chad—and the woman who either loves him or wants him dead.

Six years ago, Chad’s hunt for a dangerous treasure turned deadly when his family home was set on fire, his parents killed. Faking his and his sister Amy’s death to protect her from further retaliation, he set her up in a new life with a friend’s help, letting her believe he’d died.

But now the men who hired Chad to find the treasure have found him, imprisoning and torturing him to learn where it’s hidden. A dark-haired beauty named Gia helps him escape, promising him access to his worst enemy. And as he tries to unravel the deep secrets of the past, he starts falling for her…only to discover she’s not what she seems.

Unable to trust anyone, Chad focuses on only two things: protecting his sister Amy and getting revenge. Is love even possible in the midst of heartache?




Excerpt
It’s nearly eight in the evening when I take the elevator to our secure, key-coded floor and enter the suite, where I immediately hear, “Chad! Is that you?”
Angry, I grab the chair in front of the door and shove it aside.
“Oh, thank God,” Gia gushes, flinging her arms around my neck. “You’re in one piece.”
Stunned by her greeting, by the way her sweet curves meld against me, I fight the heat rushes through me, untangling her grip and pressing her hands against the wall. “Tell me what you know about my sister,” I demand.
Nothing, Chad. I told you that. Is she—was she—”
“You know I didn’t find her.”
“I wanted you to find her. I was terrified for you.”
Anger expands in me, seeping into my veins, and on some level, I know it’s not about Gia at all, or maybe I just fear it will be about her. I don’t want to trust her and be wrong. “You barely know me.”
“I know you’re in pain. I know what being alone feels like, and I know that’s what you feel right now.”
Alone.
It’s a word that pierces my heart with guilt. It’s what I know my sister has felt for six long years. I was all she had, the only one she could count on, even if she didn’t know I was there—and I failed her. The pain is a seed that grows and expands inside me in an instant, and suddenly, or maybe not so suddenly, the idea of being betrayed by Gia is not as biting as the idea of failing her as well. My hands come down on her face, and I stare at her. “I have money and resources to hide you, and I promise you, no one will find you. But I won’t be there with you. I’m poison to anyone near me. You can’t forget that. I can’t forget that.”
I don’t give her time to reply. My mouth closes down on hers, my tongue pressing past her lips, stroking and stroking again, in what is instantly an aggressive, searching kiss. She moans, and I swear the sound of her moan shatters a piece of my soul that is already bleeding for my sister. In this moment, it feels like all I have left is this woman.


Meet Chad in the newest addition to The Secret Life of Amy Bensen series by Lisa Renee Jones!
Now available for Pre-order!

 Pre-order Forsaken and Unbroken and receive exclusive content leading up to the release and super special bonus content after the release of Unbroken as well. You can find the form here - http://lisareneejones.com/pre-order-promotion/

Join the Head Talker Campaign for a chance to win a $20 Prize Here:  https://headtalker.com/campaigns/pre-order-forsaken-now/

For More information on The Secret Life of Amy Bensen series page including: buy links, and excerpts for the previous two and also upcoming releases.  Visit Lisa’s website here: http://bit.ly/AmyBensen

About Author Lisa Renee Jones
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones is the author of the highly acclaimed INSIDE OUT SERIES, and is now in development by Suzanne Todd (Alice in Wonderland) for cable TV. In addition, her Tall, Dark and Deadly series and The Secret Life of Amy Bensen series, both spent several months on a combination of the NY Times and USA Today lists.

Watch the video on casting for the INSIDE TV Show HERE

Since beginning her publishing career in 2007, Lisa has published more than 40 books translated around the world. Booklist says that Jones suspense truly sizzles with an energy similar to FBI tales with a paranormal twist by Julie Garwood or Suzanne Brockmann.

Prior to publishing, Lisa owned multi-state staffing agency that was recognized many times by The Austin Business Journal and also praised by Dallas Women Magazine. In 1998 LRJ was listed as the #7 growing women owned business in Entrepreneur Magazine.

Lisa loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at on her website and she is active on twitter and facebook daily.





Cover Reveal: Cam Girl, by Leah Raeder

Leah Raeder’s third novel, CAM GIRL doesn’t go on sale until November 3, 2015…BUT…we’re itching to share the book’s absolutely gorgeous cover with you right now! Take a peek!!!



Synopsis
Vada Bergen is broke, the black sheep of her family, and moving a thousand miles away from home for grad school, but she’s got the two things she loves most: her art, and her best friend and soulmate, Ellis Carraway. Elle and Vada have a friendship so consuming it’s hard to tell where one girl ends and the other begins. It’s intense. It’s a little codependent. And nothing can tear them apart.

Until an accident on an icy winter road changes everything.

Vada is left deeply scarred, both emotionally and physically. Her once-promising art career is cut short. And Ellis pulls away, unwilling to talk about that night. Everything Vada loved is gone.

She’s got nothing left to lose.

So when she meets a smooth-talking lothario who offers to set her up as a cam girl, she can’t say no. All Vada has to do is spend a couple hours each night taking off her clothes on webcam, and the “tips” come pouring in.

It’s all just kinky fun till a client gets serious. “Blue” is mysterious, alluring, and more interested in Vada’s life than her body. Online, they open up to each other intimately. Blue helps her heal. And he pays well, but he wants her all to himself. No more cam shows. She agrees, because she’s starting to fall for him. And when he asks to meet, she says yes. Because she’s dying to know the real man behind the keyboard.

Even if one of his conditions is to bring Ellis. The girl who wants nothing to do with her anymore.

Now Vada must confront the past she’s been running from. A past full of devastating secrets—those of others, and those she’s been keeping from herself…



About Author Leah Raeder
Leah Raeder is a writer and unabashed nerd. Aside from reading her brains out, she enjoys graphic design, video games, fine whiskey, and the art of self-deprecation. She lives with her very own manic pixie dream boy in Chicago. Visit her at LeahRaeder.com.



Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Review: The Man I Love, by Suanne Laqueur



Synopsis
One look brought them together. One bullet tore them apart. 

Winner of the 2015 Beverly Hills Book Award for romance, Suanne Laqueur's astonishing debut novel follows a young man's emotional journey to salvage relationships destroyed in the wake of a school shooting. 

As a college freshman, Erik Fiskare is drawn to the world of theater but prefers backstage to center stage. The moment he lays eyes on a beautiful, accomplished dancer named Daisy Bianco, his atoms rearrange themselves and he is drawn into a romance both youthfully passionate and maturely soulful. Their love story thrives within a tight-knit circle of friends, all bound by creativity and artistry. A newcomer arrives--a brilliant but erratic dancer with an unquenchable thirst for connection. And when this disturbed friend brings a gun into the theater, the story is forever changed. Daisy is shot and left seriously injured. And Erik finds himself alone in the aisle, looking down the muzzle of a pistol and trying to stop the madness. He succeeds, but with tremendous repercussions to his well-being and that of his loved ones. 

Traumatized by the experience, Erik and Daisy spiral into depression and drug use until a shocking act of betrayal destroys their relationship. To survive, Erik must leave school and disconnect from all he loves. He buries his heartbreak and puts the past behind. Or so he believes. 

As he moves into adulthood, Erik comes to grips with his role in the shooting, and slowly heals the most wounded parts of his soul. But the unresolved grief for Daisy continues to shape his dreams at night. Once those dreams were haunted by blood and gunfire. Now they are haunted by the refrain of a Gershwin song and a single question: is leaving always the end of loving? 

Spanning fifteen years, The Man I Love explores themes of love and sexuality, trauma--physical and mental--and its long-lasting effects, the burden of unfinished business and the power of reconciliation. Through Erik's experience we reflect on what it means to be a man, a son and a leader. A soul mate, a partner and a lover. What it means to live the truth of who you are and what you feel. What it means to fight for what you love.


Review
4.5 out of 5 stars

Confession time...I've been finished with this book for at least a week and am just now sitting down to write the review.  Not only am I intimidated about channeling my thoughts into coherent words but this was also one of those reads which completely captivated and demanded every single one of my emotions.  When the last page was turned I needed a few days to simply recover!  To say this book is a journey is putting it lightly.  Spanning a time frame of 15 years Suanne Laqueur takes you places you didn't even know existed in the fictional world, leaving you with a story so real you're left wondering and re-thinking how the trials in your own lives have affected and shaped the person you are today.

Written in the narrative of main character Eric, whom you're first introduced to as a young happy boy, The Man I Love offers an eyewitness perspective into his life; the ups and downs, love, life lessons, struggles and triumphs.  When the last page is turned you feel as though you know him personally, intimately even.  For the first 8 years of his life with the love of both his parents his view on the world is almost of perfection.  He wakes up and life simply goes according to plan or at least to as much of a plan as an eight year old can grasp.  But the world isn't a perfect place nor is it a place in which one can control the outcome of it's impact on their lives.  This is the lesson Eric must learn and like many of us, it's a hard lesson learned over the course of many years.

 Author Suanne Laqueur brilliantly begins this book by devoting the first chapter to painting a picture of young Erik Fiskare.  She not only pinpoints a few monumental moments in this young boy's life but she also helps us understand what makes him tick as a person. By chapter two we find ourselves with Erik as a college freshman during fall semester.  I've always thought the most important reason to even go to college is for life experience.  Yes, a degree is also important but in my humble opinion college's most important lesson is life.  It's more about learning how you view life, learning how to live and work with people who may not view life through the same lenses, making your own choices, forming your own opinions, choosing the path you want to see your life take.  Suanne Laquer captures this sentiment perfectly.

As the story progresses Erik meets Daisy, she is without a doubt his soulmate, his better-half.  They balance one another perfectly.  When tragedy strikes these two take a stand supporting one another, working together to fight the depression trying so hard to tear them apart.  At first you think these two will be ok, they will make it, but the thing about life, love and tragedy is they are strong emotions and if not dealt with properly they literally have the power to destroy everything in their wake.

This is not your typical boy meets girl, they fall in love, overcome a tragedy and live HEA.  That's not to say you won't get a HEA, because you do, it's just this story will take you places you weren't expecting leaving you a victim to your own emotions.  Technically speaking the writing is flawless, Suanne Laqueur provides vivid pictures painted with such specific detail you cannot help but picture this story playing out in your mind.  Buy this book, read this book, but prepare yourself, it's a highly addictive and long one!       



If you are like me when when you get to The End, you are going to have one heck of a hangover, good news!!! Give Me Your Answer True, just released.  Finally an opportunity to get to know Daisy better.


Sale: When We Collide, by A.L. Jackson





From the bestselling author of Pulled and Take This Regret comes a gripping new tale of loss and love.

William has spent six years running from his past and the last eight months trying to rid his mind of the dreams that increasingly haunt his nights. Trapped in a world of false ambitions and feigned affections, William knows he’s reached a breaking point and something’s going to give.

Maggie had lived her entire life without hope until one man showed her what it meant to be loved. He’d been her light in a lifetime of darkness. Six years ago, that darkness stole him away. Without him, she’s surrendered herself to an existence she doesn’t know how to escape.

When the family William left behind is struck by tragedy, he is called back to the one place he’s sworn to never return to again.

In a moment that will change his life forever, William comes face to face with the girl who, with one look, captured his heart. He is unable to ignore the buried desires and the hope for the future they’d once believed they’d have.

Now William is ready to fight to take back what had been stolen from him six years before.
But he never imagined what that fight might cost him.


A.L. Jackson gives you an intimate look into the lives of a family bound by an unseen connection in this new contemporary romance.













A.L. Jackson is the New York Times bestselling author of contemporary and new adult romance.

She first found a love for writing during her days as a young mother and college student.  She filled the journals she carried with short stories and poems used as an emotional outlet for the difficulties and joys she found in day-to-day life.

Years later, she shared a short story she’d been working on with her two closest friends and, with their encouragement, this story became her first full length novel. A.L. now spends her days writing in Southern Arizona where she lives with her husband and three children.

Connect with A.L.  Jackson online: www.aljacksonauthor.com


To stay up to date with important news on A.L. Jackson, including new releases, sales, and exclusive specials and excerpts, text “jackson” to 96000 to subscribe! 






Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Promo Post: Unworthy by Elaine May

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Book: Unworthy
Author: Elaine May
Genre: Romance Suspense
Cover Designer: Mallory Dauphine
Hosted by: Francessca’s Romance Reviews

Synopsis:

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“This is all your fault.”
“You worthless piece of shit.”
“I hate you."
“He left us because of you.
“We live like this because of you. YOU GRACE.”
“You won’t amount to anything, you’re useless.”
“I wish I never had you, I hate you your worthless.”
Those were the words that were told to me so many times as a child that i can onlt think of them as true. I lived by my own rules to protect my heart from more heart brake but that was until he came into my world.
Until Samuel Harding.

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PROLOGUE

GRACE

The man and lady of the house my Mummy works in, are screaming at each other and it’s really scary. I can’t remember their names, I’m sure it starts with a big H, but normally they are really nice to me and Mummy, but today is different and I don’t know why.
Mummy and I are downstairs and we can hear every word that is being said between the two of them.
I look over at Mummy and her cold blue eyes that once told me she loved me, now tell me something completely different. They tell me everything she won’t say to me, even though I don’t want it to be true.
“This is all your fault.” I jump at the scary sound above me that sounds like something special is breaking.
“You can tell your British slut to get out of my house.”
“She has nowhere else to go, darling.”
“Don’t you dare darling me, you bastard.” I can hear something else break above and the man says a naughty word. I look over at Mummy and attempt to move towards her for a cuddle, but she walks away from me just as I hear the lady continue shouting.
“You know what? I don’t care about the business over here. You can tell Edward we are moving back to America. I don’t care about that slut and her little bastard.”
All of a sudden the picture changes before me and my adult self is flying through the town I grew up in and I can see my whole childhood before me. All the nasty words my mother or stepfather ever said to me. The slaps to the face my mother loved to give me when she felt I’d done something wrong.
“This is all your fault.”
“You worthless piece of shit.”
“I hate you, we hate you. Even your father couldn’t stand to be near you.”
“He left us, because of you.”
“We live like this, because of you. YOU, GRACE.”
“You won’t amount to anything, you’re useless.”
“I wish I never had you, I hate you and you’re worthless.”
I can feel all the hatred centered in on that little girl and I can feel all the tears she doesn’t show as she grows into the teenager who hates and loathes herself so much. I can see my teenage self standing by the edge of the River Tone just before its cold waters engulf me, drowning me and pulling me down to its depths with my own self-hatred and sorrow. I try to reach the water’s surface, but the cold water is keeping me down, engulfing me with the old memories that still haunt me.
“You’re worthless.”
“You won’t amount to anything.”

Purchase Links

Amazon USA

About The Author

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Elaine May is my Author name. I live in the West Country of England with my two beautiful daughters and yummy hubby. I love reading dark and twisted tales that mess with your head. I love to travel and spending time with my family. My dream is for people to like what i've written and hopefully get to go to a book signing event as an author.

Stalker Links

Facebook
Goodreads
Facebook release party

Other Books By This Author

Lies & Truth (Truth Series #1)


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Amazon UK
Amazon USA



Pain & Truth (Truth Series #2)

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Amazon UK
Amazon USA



Giveaway

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Sunday, June 21, 2015

Review: Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll



Synopsis:

HER PERFECT LIFE
IS A PERFECT LIE.

As a teenager at the prestigious Bradley School, Ani FaNelli endured a shocking, public humiliation that left her desperate to reinvent herself. Now, with a glamorous job, expensive wardrobe, and handsome blue blood fiancé, she’s this close to living the perfect life she’s worked so hard to achieve.

But Ani has a secret.

There’s something else buried in her past that still haunts her, something private and painful that threatens to bubble to the surface and destroy everything.

With a singular voice and twists you won’t see coming, Luckiest Girl Alive explores the unbearable pressure that so many women feel to “have it all” and introduces a heroine whose sharp edges and cutthroat ambition have been protecting a scandalous truth, and a heart that's bigger than it first appears.

The question remains: will breaking her silence destroy all that she has worked for—or, will it at long last, set Ani free?
 

Review:  4.25 of 5 stars

I read online about this book and saw that it had been optioned for a movie.  I adore the cover and synopsis, so naturally I requested a review copy from the publisher.  When it arrived in all of its hardcover glory I couldn't wait to start reading it.  Thankfully there was a note from the author that warned me that I might not love the main character, TifAni "Ani" FaNelli very much but to persist with the story even if I didn't like her. I am so glad that I received this note, otherwise I'm not sure that I would have finished the book.

The first 1/2-2/3 of the book were difficult for me to get through.  I couldn't connect with the character all that well and truthfully I didn't really like her.  I really wanted to like her, but I just couldn't do it for a long period of time.  The book transitions from the present day where Ani is a higher level writer for a magazine that I compare to Cosmopolitan.  She is successful in every way imaginable, even engaged to the wealthy Luke Harrison.  Many women envy her but she has a void.  She constantly believes she needs more to fulfill her life goals.  She is snarky, hateful and just plain mean to most people.  I found it difficult to connect with her emotionally during the beginning of the book. 

Many chapters transitioned to the past and what happened when Ani was in private school at Bradley.  And even though I felt sorry for her a lot of the time, I wanted to shake her during other times.  She struggled with eating disorders, depression among other issues.  I wanted to weep for her since she had such a hard time crying for herself.  

In the interest of writing a spoiler free review I don't want to go into a lot of the details and characters of the book.  I really feel like your impressions of characters and the events would be ruined otherwise.  I will say there are two main climatic occurrences during the book.  The first happens relatively early on and was somewhat predictable.  I was still enraged because of it but I could see it coming a mile away.  You need to understand that it is my goal to figure out plot twists all the time.  When I sit down to read I go into it blind other than the synopsis.  I don't read other reviews prior to reading because I want my reaction to be my reaction and no one else.  So when an author can completely blindside me and wreck me it is a big deal.  I was thrown into a crazy roller coaster of emotions at this point in the book and it was nothing short of fantastic from this point on to me.  

A lot of the pre-release buzz surrounding Luckiest Girl Alive compared it to Gone Girl.  I have to confess, I have not read this book.  I have heard a lot of great things about it but if you are looking for a comparison of the two I can't provide that.  What I will say is that I rated this book a solid 4.25.  How could I do that when I had so many issues with the first part?  Well, I would say that the first 1/2 or so ranked a 3.5 for me but the last part was 4.75 so I just averaged it out be 4.25.  

Ms. Knoll is an excellent writer and her storytelling ability is fantastic.  It is obvious that she did a lot of research while writing this book and I believe the execution of the story was amazing.  Well done!  I am looking forward to the movie being released because I think you will be able to connect with Ani a little easier.  I am excited to see who is cast for these roles.  One click this novel before the movie is released, but be prepared for some difficult issues.

About the Author:


Jessica Knoll has been a senior editor at Cosmopolitan, and the articles editor at SELF. She grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia and graduated from The Shipley School in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, and from Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York. She lives in New York City with her husband.

  



Friday, June 19, 2015

Promo: Beneath These Chains by Meghan March



I was raised on the streets, so I know things are rarely as simple as they appear—especially this rich girl showing up at my pawnshop demanding a job.
She’s the most tempting thing I’ve ever seen, and I’ll be damned if I can make her leave.
Shit just got complicated … but when it comes to her—I want complicated.
We’re both fighting our own demons, and our only chance at a future is to let go of the past.
But will we be strong enough to break free from beneath these chains?


Order Now at:
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/beneath-these-chains-meghan-march/1122103246?ean=2940151507950

SNEAK PEEK:
Chapter 1
Lord
I fucking hated people who stole from me. Which was ironic, considering the only thing that had kept me from starving as a kid had been picking pockets and snatching purses. I dropped my elbows to the desk and rubbed a hand over my buzzed head.
“Goddamn, karma’s a bitch.”
“She the bitch you fucked last night, bro?” The leather of my office couch creaked as Mathieu sank his tall, lanky frame into it.
“How many times do I have to tell you not to call women ‘bitches,’ boy?”
My words were met with a long sigh from Mathieu. Ever since he’d walked into Chains and tried to grab a guitar and run back out the door—only to be tackled to the ground by yours truly—he’d been a fixture in my life. To be fair, his choices had been to work off the price of what he’d attempted to steal, or go directly to the nearest cop shop. The entire situation had been such a blast from the past, I’d caught myself smiling when I should’ve been glaring and scaring the piss out of the kid. But apparently I’d done an okay job of it because he’d decided starting a rap sheet at seventeen wasn’t a good plan. Thank fuck. Almost two years later, the kid was my right hand.
And now that Chains was mine, someone was stealing from me—but not just someone. An employee. Someone I should’ve been able to trust. The cameras I had installed on her day off had already paid for themselves.
I rolled my head from side to side, cracking my neck. I hated firing people. It never got easier. And this time? This time it was going to be even worse … because there would be tears. And quite possibly claws.
Pushing up from the chair, I strode to the door without looking at Mathieu. Over my shoulder, I tossed, “You might want to stay here; Brianna’s ass is about to get canned.”
“For real?” His words followed me out, but I didn’t bother to reply.
Every time I stepped foot onto the shop floor, a feeling of pride surged through me—pride that I’d helped build this business into one that was not only honest, but profitable. At least, it was profitable when one of my employees wasn’t skimming off the till and messing with my bank deposits.
Finger twirling in her long, dark extensions and gum snapping between her teeth, Brianna flipped the pages of a magazine with a giant black Sharpie in one hand, circling shit. Probably shit she wanted to buy with the money she’d been stealing from me. The store was empty, which made what I was about to do a little easier.
“Bree, need a few minutes.”
Her head popped up, lips pursing as she took me in. “You can have all the time you need, boss.” Her gaudy fake eyelashes batted at me in what I assumed was supposed to be a sexy move. I stowed the urge to tell her to save it for someone whose dick got hard at the sight of her … but since I was about to fire her, why add insult to injury? The woman had been unsuccessfully trying to add her notch to my bedpost since I’d hired her. Bringing her on had been a mistake, and I’d known it from the minute she’d walked in the door, but a friend had called in a favor.
“Boss? You had something to say?” she prompted.
I watched her, not speaking.
She stopped the hair twirling and capped the Sharpie, resituating herself on the stool and folding her hands in her lap.
“Lord?”
“You’re done.”
Bree’s dark eyes flew wide. “Done? You mean done for the day?”
“Done. For good. Get your shit and get out.” 
Bree lost the innocent pose as she crossed her arms and stared me down. “Not until you tell me why.”
In two long strides, I closed the distance between the register and me and pressed my hands to the counter.
“I gave you a job. Gave you a paycheck you didn’t have to suck a dick to get. But that wasn’t enough for you. You had to have more, and instead of coming to me and asking for a raise, you decided to make it happen yourself.”
The color faded from her face, leaving her mocha-colored skin sallow. “Wh-what?”
“Get your shit.”
“I swear, I didn’t—”
“Don’t fucking lie to me. I can show you the tape if you want to see what I saw.”
Her lower lip started to wobble. It wasn’t going to work. I’d given her the benefit of the doubt, hoped I was wrong or it was just a one-time thing. But she’d gotten too bold.
“But I need this—”
 I cut her off. She wasn’t even going to deny it. Not that she could. We both knew she’d done it, and I wasn’t in the mood to listen to her beg or justify her actions. Even though she didn’t know it, I’d already given her a second chance. And all that had done was cost me even more than I could afford to lose. “I needed someone to work the shop—someone who wasn’t going to fuck me over and steal from me. You weren’t capable of that, so you’re out. Now get your shit.”
“But—”
“Save your breath, Bree. I ain’t listening unless you’re here to tell me you’ve got all the money you’ve taken, and you’re putting it right back where it belongs.”
Her face twisted into an angry glare even as the tears started falling. “You … you don’t understand.”
“No, I really don’t understand.” I crossed my arms and waited her out. When she realized the water works weren’t changing my decision, she spun off the stool, grabbed her giant purple purse from behind the counter, and stalked toward the door.
“You get all self-righteous with me about a little cash while you basically steal from people? Giving ‘em twenty dollars for their shit? Like you’re one to judge.”
A little cash? She’d skimmed enough to buy a nice used car, and I’d been too trusting to even realize it until the numbers hadn’t added up in a big way.
She slowed near the guitars at the front of the store and malicious glee lit her eyes.
She wouldn’t.
Oh, but she did.
Bree grabbed a guitar and swung it toward the rack as the chimes above the front door jangled. Wood crashed against wood, and two female screeches erupted.
Shit … if she injured a customer…
I charged Bree and ripped the guitar from her hands before she could swing again. A swirl of red hair caught my attention as the other woman dodged out of the strike zone.
Bree struggled against my hold, and I wondered if I was going to end up with a face full of the acrylic claws tearing at my arms. “Let go of me, you asshole!”
 “Whoa, boss. Getting the door for ya.” Mathieu bolted across the shop and yanked the door open again. I hustled Bree out and set her free on the sidewalk.
She spun to face Mathieu and me. “You’re gonna regret this,” she hissed. “I swear, you will.”
A soft laugh came from the open door. “From what I’ve seen, I highly doubt it.”
Bree opened her mouth to spew something else, but I shut her down. “Get gone. I don’t ever wanna see you near my shop again.”
Bree’s flinty eyes narrowed as she shouldered her purse. “Fuck you, Lord. You think you’re better than me? Not a chance. You’re just thievin’ street scum. Fuck you.”
“And now she’s getting repetitious,” the husky female voice commented from behind me.
Lip curling in disgust, Bree turned and marched toward the corner, never looking back.
“Her exit could totally use some work, but all-in-all, that was one hell of a welcome.”
I turned to survey the woman standing in the doorway of Chains. Even without a photographic memory, I didn’t think I’d ever forget this particular pose: one arm braced on the doorframe and the other propped on her hip, a green dress hugging curves that had my entire body sitting up and taking notice. Matched with her long, curling red hair, she was a goddamn knockout. What the hell is she doing here?
“You lost, sweet thing?”
She stepped onto the sidewalk and tore the HELP WANTED sign off the bottom corner of the front window. Holding it between two fingers, she smiled. “Nope. I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. I’m your newest employee.”

About Meghan March:

Meghan March is the author of contemporary and erotic romance novels.
Meghan March has been known to wear camo face paint and tromp around in woods wearing mud-covered boots, all while sporting a perfect manicure. She’s also impulsive, easily entertained, and absolutely unapologetic about the fact that she loves to read and write smut. Her past lives include slinging auto parts, selling lingerie, making custom jewelry, and practicing corporate law. Writing books about dirty talking alpha males and the strong, sassy women who bring them to their knees is by far the most fabulous job she’s ever had. She loves hearing from her readers at meghanmarchbooks@gmail.com.

Catch Up on the Beneath Series:
Beneath This Mask (Beneath #1)
He loves me, and he doesn’t even know my real name. 

The limelight that follows him could expose everything I’m hiding. But even knowing the risks, I can’t force myself to stay away. 

I’m going to break his heart, but mine will shatter right along with it. 

Will we lose it all when I reveal what’s beneath this mask?

Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22458416-beneath-this-mask
Buy Links:


Beneath This Ink (Beneath #2)
I’ve always known she was too good for me, but that never stopped me from wanting her.
And then I finally had her for one night.
A night I don’t remember.
I figured I’d blown my shot.
But now she’s walked back into my life, and this time, I have the upper hand. I want my second chance.
Will she be able to see the man beneath this ink?

Buy links:


Meghan Candid Video! 

Contest Alert!
Starting June 16th, readers can enter the contest to win a Coach Purse from Meghan March!