.#XpressoBookTours #Giveaway #Excerpt Project Five Fifteen by Samantha Summers @5fifteen

Today, I'm sharing an excerpt to First Light, the first book in the Project Five Fifteen Series. The excerpt sounds good and is actually one of my fears that I'm sure I will never do. o.0 I'm sure some of you are daredevils, but not me. Anywhoo, check it out and don't forget to enter the giveaway. Oh, and tell me what you thought about the excerpt and would you be brave enough to do it!

First Light

Samantha Summers
Series: Project Five Fifteen #1
Publication: May 12th 2012

Genre: YA Romantic Thriller

A government experiment. Sixteen teenage boys on the run. An innocent young girl caught in the middle. When Ronnie Rose meets the handsome and alluring Kalen Smith, she can tell there's something he's hiding - something dangerous. But in trying to uncover his secret, Ronnie is plunged into a terrifying world she isn't prepared for... and the consequences could be deadly. Can we choose who we fall in love with?

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As You Were

 

Samantha Summers

 Series: Project Five Fifteen #2

Publication: December 14th 2012

Genre: YA Romantic Thriller

For every choice, there is a consequence.
Ronnie and Kalen are finally together, living their life in secret under the radar of the people who want Kalen dead. But when a visit from an old friend sends Kalen away on a rescue mission, Ronnie finds herself plunged back into the world of Project Five Fifteen quicker than she ever thought possible.
It’s fast becoming clear The Agency will never give up their hunt for the boys, and a betrayal closer to home starts a chain reaction that will change everything. Now, caught in a deadly web of lies and deceit, Ronnie is forced to question who she can trust; even the person she once trusted most.
As enemies close in, Kalen’s past threatens to destroy the happiness they sacrificed so much for, and it’s only a matter of time before the ultimate choice must be

 

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Born in London, an only child with an overactive imagination, Sam spent much of her childhood telling ghost stories to her younger cousins and dreaming about far away places. She graduated

university with a BA in marketing, but it wasn't long before her passion for storytelling and travel got the better of her. She currently lives in Sydney, Australia, where you'll probably find her hidden away in the corner of a park somewhere - writing, reading, dreaming or watching movies on her iPad. She loves everything spy and assassin and has a slightly unhealthy obsession with Star Wars, mainly Darth Vader.

 

 

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Book 1 First Light


‘So, where are we going?’ I asked, pulling the front door closed behind us.
‘It’s a surprise.’
I shielded my eyes from the brightness all around me, following him down off the porch.
‘Have I mentioned I don’t like surprises?’
‘No, you haven’t,’ he said, with a smile. 
 
I’d expected the Audi, or even the Ford, but a shiny black motorcycle sat by the side of the road. The same one he’d sped away on the day we met. I glanced at him anxiously, but he wasn’t looking at me. If it was possible, he was even quieter than usual. 
Suddenly, my fear of riding on the back of a motorbike was the last thing on my mind. I wanted to ask if he was okay, but the words caught in my throat. He handed me a spare helmet.
‘I’ve never been on a bike before,’ I said instead.
‘Are you afraid?’ There wasn’t a trace of humour in his voice, he wasn’t joking or trying to scare me. His question demanded a legitimate answer. I should have been afraid, but somehow I knew this would be yet another thing he did with perfection. 
‘No.’ 
With a small nod, he swung one leg over the seat and straddled the bike.
‘Can I ask a question?’ I ventured.
‘It seems so.’
‘What?’
He smirked and I knew I’d missed some joke again. ‘Where did you get this bike?’
‘It belongs to Nash.’
‘And the Audi?’
‘That’s mine.’
‘How did you afford it?’
‘They’re not stolen if that’s what you’re asking.’

I wasn’t blind to the fact that he hadn’t answered my question, but I wasn’t sure I really wanted to know. It was easier to accept if I didn’t think about it.
‘Hop on, Red.’ Removing his sunglasses, he pulled on a black helmet, so I could see only his eyes. So often overshadowed by his distracting smile, alone they were more striking than I’d ever realised. The problem right now was that they looked sad. He was definitely hiding something. Before I could ask what, he flipped the visor down. I slid silently on behind him. 
Once in my seat, which felt further from the ground than I’d anticipated, Kal reached back, taking both of my hands and wrapping them around him. My stomach flipped with the contact, but it was nothing compared to when the engine roared to life and we took off. I pressed myself tightly against him.
 
Eventually I dared to open my eyes. I doubted that any car in the world could go as fast as the bike and if it did, it wouldn’t feel the same. There was no room in my head for negative thoughts – all I could focus on was the wind, the speed, and Kalen’s firm body. At one point, I felt the front of the bike tip upwards, the engine screamed as we wheeled through a set of lights. I squealed, but it was all good. A jolt of pleasure pulsed through me.
When he pulled to a stop, I slipped off and rubbed my thighs. I’d been gripping so tightly it took a minute for the feeling to come back to them. As I glanced up, however, I became distracted by where we were. 
‘Oh, God,’ I blurted, straightening and staring at the airfield in front of us.
‘Don’t panic, Red,’ he smiled crookedly, ‘you trust me, right?’
‘Um... I think so.’ 
He laughed. ‘Did you know when you’re nervous, you tug at your hair?’
‘No, I don’t.’ I let go of the strand I’d been holding.
‘Yeah, you do. You twist and pull at it. It’s cute. But hey, there’s nothing to be scared of.’ 
He took my hand then, leading me across the field to a plane that looked small enough to be a toy. 
‘Hey, mate,’ Kal greeted the pilot with a handshake and his fake British accent.
‘Morning, Mr Smith. She’s all ready for you both, pack is over there on the ground, as you requested. I’ll give you some time to get sorted. Just hop in when you’re ready. Weather is great for it, which is surprising for this time of year.’
‘Ah, Kevin, I told you not to worry. The weather’s always on my side.’

The pilot hoisted himself into the plane after that, with a fleeting look in my direction. Kalen stepped over to a big piece of material on the floor. A parachute. It looked more like a shiny bed sheet. 
‘Don’t we need two of these?’ I asked nervously. Noticing I was twisting the end of my hair, I quickly shoved my hands in the pockets of my jeans.
‘You want to jump on your own?’ he looked up at me with a quizzical expression from his crouched position, where he was running his hands along the material and checking things I had no idea about.  
‘Of course not. I’m not even sure I want to jump.’
‘That’s okay,’ he chuckled silently, ‘I’ll jump and you’ll be attached to me so it’s all good.’
‘But what I mean is, don’t we need to be strapped to people who do this all the time?’
‘Yep, you’re looking at him.’

 I nodded to myself, another chill running through me. Kalen continued to check the chute without looking up at me again. 
When we were in the plane the engine was so loud I couldn’t muster the energy to yell above it and Kalen was without doubt the most excited I’d ever seen him. I pushed away the stirring in my stomach and repeated in my head that he knew what he was doing. Inside the plane was bitingly cold and as though feeling it too, Kalen wrapped his arms around me. The next thing I knew, the pilot was calling out something about twelve-thousand-feet. Kal stood us both up my heart went crashing into overdrive.
‘Are you sure we’re going to be okay, Kal?’ I squeaked.
‘Red, look down there.’ 
We shuffled together towards the edge, the icy air catching me off guard. I peered out and instantly felt sick. The feeling had no time to linger, however, because as I glanced over the edge, he used the motion to flip us both out the door. My stomach dropped and we were hurtling into the vast expanse of sky below.



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.Book Blitz #Excerpt #Giveaway Of Silver and Beasts by @TrishWolfe

***Excerpt***

“What’s your rank, baby blue eyes?” the guy asks, pushing off his cot and stalking toward the prince. Everything in me screams to act, but I don’t want to declare alliances this early on. Not without understanding the dynamic of placements and bonds already formed among these people. But I’ll not let this hulk of a man harm the prince. I brace my heel against the wall, ready to push off and lunge. Prince Caben rises to his feet, slowly turning to face him. He straightens his spine, squaring his shoulders. “I don’t have one. And my name is Payne. Not ‘baby blue eyes’, meathead.” Big guy laughs, his husky voice bounces off the rock walls. “I’m Crew”—he beats his chest hard once, like a barbarian—“and I’ve won three fights. I’ll win the next two and be the one awarded the freedom ring.” He leans down toward Prince Caben, leveling their faces. “So don’t even think about you or your princess over there walking out of here. I’m ranked as a Colossal. The strongest Colossal in Bax’s league.” Princess? I nearly scoff. Then I realize what the problem with Crew is: he feels threatened by Prince Caben. That revelation almost makes me laugh out right. What does a big stack of muscles like Crew have to fear from the prince? The other prisons slowly circle around the stand-off in the center of the cell. Tension thickens the musty air. It coils around my spine, tightening my muscles. If I allow the fight to continue without interruption, will the guards stop it? They’d want their fighters in pristine shape, wouldn’t they? Prince Caben doesn’t back away from Crew. Instead, he moves into his space. I roll my eyes. Stupid, conceited man. “Freedom ring?” the prince questions. “As in, there’s a chance to leave?” He rubs his chin, and I notice the dark shadow of facial hair that has darkened his features overnight. “Is there a season that has to be won, or can someone gain five wins during their entire imprisonment?” Crew’s eyebrows pinch together. He’s clearly despondent that he hasn’t succeeded in intimidating the prince. “We’re in a season right now, you weakling. If you don’t win—you’re dead. Which by the looks of you, will happen in your first match.” Prince Caben nods, as if he’s simply piecing together a jigsaw puzzle and not being told of his demise. “What is the cuff for?” He points to the iron clamp around Crew’s wrist. “It’s our biometric monitor.” Crew shoves the cuff up close to the prince’s face. “See those three blue lights? Those are my wins. When the fifth lights up, I’m outta’ here.” “Has anyone ever won the freedom ring before?” Prince Caben asks. Crew’s massive arms tremble. “No,” he grinds out. “But I will.” He cocks his cuffed hand back, then sends a blow to Prince Caben’s chin. Hell. I’m up and racing across the cell before the prince hits the ground. Crew spots me from his peripheral. He turns and swipes the air. I duck, roll, and come up behind him. I jump on the cot and leap onto his back. “You squirrely little ...” he mumbles, trying to reach over his shoulders to get a hold on me. Tightening my arms around his thick neck, I squeeze. He gasps for air, and rams my back into the wall. I wheeze as the air whooshes from my lungs, pain splintering through my already bruised chest. But I hold tight, bearing down harder, and cut off his supply of oxygen. Finally, I feel Crew weaken beneath my hold. He drops to his knees, and I only release him once I’m sure he’s knocked out. Stepping around the now limp Crew, I glance at all the wide eyes studying me, and meet the prince’s. Fury ignites his stormy blue irises. He picks himself off the floor and heads toward one of the side chambers, throwing the tattered material aside as he stalks inside. I follow after him. When I step inside the tiny, dank room, my eyes trail Prince Caben as he paces. He reaches each side of the small chamber with three quick strides. Back and forth. On his third round, I open my mouth and get out a single syllable before he holds up a hand, halting me. He drives his hand through his dark hair. “Thank you for making me look like a spineless jerk.” He shakes his head and faces me. Taken aback, I say, “This is my duty to protect—” “No. In your country it was your duty to guard me. In my world and here”—he opens his arms wide—“a man fights his own battles. He does not depend on a woman to fight them for him. You just disgraced me.” Fire simmers in my core. “I’m still assigned as your protector no matter what realm we inhabit, Your High—” I stop myself before addressing him by title out of habit. “Your pride is polluting your reasoning.” He laughs. “Yes, well. Thanks to your show out there, I no longer have my pride to worry about.”

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.Blog Tour: #EXCERPT Shadow Of Wrath by @LWPatricks

Shadow of Wrath
L.W. Patricks
Series: Sins of the 7, #1
Publication: March 13, 2013
Genre: YA Dystopian

In the Arena, you're either a killer or a victim.

If survival meant murdering an innocent person in cold blood every week, could you do it? Are you able to stick the knife into your opponent's heart while they look at you with fear in their eyes? Life in the Arena turns everyone into sinners.

A homeless boy is kidnapped from the streets and finds himself imprisoned in a far more horrifying place: The Arena, a place where teenage boys fight to the death for the pleasure of various lowlifes.

The Arena is the brainchild of Ryker, an ex-convict addicted to alcohol, gladiatorial-esque combats, and money. When not devising new ways for boys to kill each other, he’s ruling his small empire with a ruthless fist, rewarding his guards with sex slaves and punishing those who oppose him with barbaric executions.

Renamed Dog, the boy from the street proves to be an excellent fighter and finds himself surviving week after week, but as he leaves a trail of bodies in his wake, the ghosts of slain boys haunt him and the violence threatens to wake a beast inside him.

Allegra, a slave girl in the Arena and a victim of Ryker's constant abuse, is his only key to salvation. She has lost everything already -- her family, her innocence, and her dignity -- while her will to live hangs on by a thin thread. Can she save Dog's humanity before she too succumbs to the horrors of the Arena?

Seeking to defy Ryker as Dog rises to power as his champion, the stage is set for something to give in this murderous world of young combatants.

A tale about survival, tragedy, and human perseverance, the Complete SHADOW OF WRATH is the first book in the Sins of the 7 series.

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Ryker walked over to the porch and picked up a red jerry can and lugged it back and handed it to Dallas. Dog smelled the gasoline from where he stood.

"Dallas, would you mind doing the honours?"

"Pleasure boss," Dallas replied as he gripped the can by the handle and walked over to the screaming prisoner.

"God, don’t do this! Please don’t," he pleaded.

"Sorry, I’m not god, and even then I’m pretty sure he’s not too fond of your kind either," Dallas said as he started splashing the gasoline over the man.

"I’m sorry. I’m sorry," the man gasped in between sobs, but he was drowned out by the sloshing sounds of the gasoline thrown into his face. He spluttered and spat out the liquid from his mouth.

When Dallas was finished, Ryker reached into his pockets and pulled out a lighter.

"So Dog, this is my second gift for you tonight," Ryker said. "I will give you the freedom of choice. You can decide whether this man lives or dies. What will it be? Thumbs up or thumbs down?"

The man was reduced to an oily slobbering mess and Dog closed his eyes and tried to drown out the screams. He thought long and hard before replying to Ryker.

"If I told you to let the guy live, would you listen to me anyway?" he asked.

"I’m a man of my word," Ryker said.

And with those words, Dog made his decision. "Burn him."

Ryker howled and raised his hands to the star-filled sky. "Our champion has spoken. Thumbs down it is." Ryker flicked open the cap of the lighter, ignited it with his thumb, and tossed it at the gasoline-drenched man who screamed as if he were possessed.

"Ever watch a man burn?" Ryker asked. Dog shook his head and watched as the flames danced to the chorus of the pedophile’s inhumane shrieking.

"It’s quite gruesome. Their skin blisters and bursts just before it melts off," Ryker said. "It was disturbing the first time I saw it, but now, I find it quite entrancing."

Dog felt the heat from the fire and watched as the sizzling embers floated upwards into the sky.　



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AUTHOR BIO

 

 

L.W. Patricks is the author of SHADOW OF WRATH and the literary architect behind the upcoming Sins of the 7 series with his second book: AWAKE THE GHOSTS to be published late 2013.

His short fiction works has been published by Crow Toes Quarterly Magazine, Fiction and Verse literary magazine, and upcoming Denizens of the Dark. He enjoys writing contemporary fantasy with an emphasis on creating urban mythology for his stories.

Though he calls Toronto his home, L.W. Patricks has a passion for exploration and has travelled all over the world including Germany, Netherlands, Italy, France, Spain, Czech Republic, Austria, United Kingdom, Thailand, Hong Kong, Cambodia just to name a few. His diverse experience amongst other cultures provides inspiration for his stories.

He currently lives in Toronto with his wife where he enjoys the scorching summer days and the icy winter nights while masquerading as a Word Samurai. He claims to be the offspring of a typewriting chimp and a literary ninja.

You can visit him at his website at www.lwpatricks.com

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.Blog Tour #Giveaway #Excerpt ABERRANT by @writeawaybliss Ruth Silver

Aberrant 
by Ruth Silver
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eBook cover was designed by Lazy Day Publishing. The paperback cover was designed by me.

In the future dystopian society of Cabal, the government instills equality for all and offers its citizens the perfect system.  There is food, shelter and jobs for everyone.  The one requirement is to follow the rules without question, including the government’s match in marriage and “The Day of the Chosen”, a lottery that randomly selects families to conceive children as natural means hasn’t existed in generations.  Following her eighteenth birthday, Olivia Parker accepts her requirement to marry her childhood best friend, Joshua Warren, and is eager to start her work assignment and new life when it all comes abruptly to an end as she’s arrested and thrown in prison.  The only crime committed, her existence.  Olivia is unlike the rest of the world born not from “The Day of the Chosen.”  The truth haunts the government and puts her life in grave danger as one simple fact would destroy the perfect system.
With Joshua’s help, Olivia breaks free of prison and is forced on the run.  Together they set out to find the promised rebel town in search of a new home and new life together.  Their situation seems less than promising as they reach the town of Haven.  New rules and customs must be adhered to in order to stay.  Leaving would mean most certain death in the large expanse of the Gravelands.  Time is running out as the government mounts an attack to destroy Olivia and bury her secret with her.  Thrown into a world unlike their own, they must quickly adapt to survive.

Excerpt from Aberrant by Ruth Silver 

We rounded the corner and my eyes caught sight of a line of young men stretching around council hall, extending for blocks. "What's going on over there?" I asked.  

Landon's face perked up, a hint of a smile playing on his lips, "they're here for you, Olivia."  

"Me?" I felt nervous and swallowed the bile rising in my throat.  

Landon patted my back, as if he had the ability to reassure me. His touch was repulsive. I pulled away slightly from his grasp, my gaze still attached to the hundreds of young men lining up along the edge of the building and pushed back down into the street. "They're submitting their applications to date you." 

"You're joking?" My eyes wide and mouth agape, I couldn't believe this was happening. "This is because of Joshua yesterday, isn't it?" It had to be the reason they found it necessary to punish me.  

Landon sighed. He seemed agitated with me, short-tempered. "We've told you, Olivia, you can't be with Joshua."  

I rolled my eyes, "yes and you've also told me I have three years to decide. What's all this!" I gestured towards the young men as I pushed them aside to walk through the main entrance, they were in my way.  

"Hey! No cutting in line," one of the young men yelled before his voice faltered off realizing I wasn't there to apply. "Are you Olivia?" His voice echoed against the building as he took another step, further inching towards the foyer.  

"It's none of your damned business!" I shouted back, my eyes glaring as I knocked Landon hard with my elbow. I knew it wouldn't win me any brownie points but I didn't care. I was beyond pissed. My feet clanked over the marble flooring. In the center of the room a table had been set up where the young men were fast approaching, one after another. "You're wasting your time," I called back to the woman hosting the event as she recorded their information in an oversized book.  

"This way," Landon escorted me away from the line of bachelors towards the open door.  

"Please, come in," the older wiry-haired woman gestured us inside and shut the door promptly behind us. All the noise and commotion from the main foyer disappeared inside the room.

Author Biography:

 Ruth Silver attended Northern Illinois University and graduated with a Bachelor's in Communication in the spring of 2005.  While in college, she spent much of her free time writing with friends she met online and penning her first novel, Deuces are Wild, which she self-published in 2004.  Her favorite class was Creative Writing senior year where she often handed in assignments longer than the professor required because she loved to write and always wanted to finish her stories.  Her love of writing led her on an adventure in 2007 to Melbourne, Australia.  Silver enjoys reading, photography, traveling and most of all writing.  She loves dystopian and fantasy young adult stories.  Ruth has been actively writing since she was a teenager.  She currently resides in Plainfield, Illinois.

You can find Ruth by following her on Twitter and  Facebook and check out her site here

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.Feature: #Excerpt The Other Side by @SGReina -Starr Gardiner Reina

The Other Side
by Starr Gardinier Reina

Paperback, 248 pages

Published April 9th 2013 by Suspense Publishing

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Melinda James has a problem. She’s in Skyview Haven because her entire family and best friend are dead. Did she kill them? Does she belong in
the asylum keeping her from harming herself and others?
Her father Paul James is killed in a car accident. She attends his funeral and she does see him lying in the casket. Or does she? It turns out her best friend Beth is the one who is dead and her father is there to console her. What is going on?
She thinks she’s going crazy, especially when she discovers both are
actually gone from this earth and they talk to her from…‘the other
side.’ Are her father and Beth actually speaking to her from beyond?










 Why? What do they want?
Soon, Melinda finds the answers and they aren’t what she wants to hear.
Paul insists he was killed and his whole family is in danger.
This is part of Melinda’s story that she shares with Dr. Alex Leever,
the psychiatrist who is assigned her case. All she wants is someone to
hear her story—and believe. Melinda slowly begins to trust Dr. Leever
and steadily reveals her long, complicated, intricate tale.
While at Skyview, Melinda meets Trent and they become friends, until
she learns something about him that rocks her world. Is he there to hurt
her? Does he want what her father was killed over?
Problems mount quickly and she discovers that there are people who want
something only she can give them. Is Trent one of those people?
Her family tries to help from beyond, but Melinda is running out of
time. She needs to give them what they want or die. Can the dead protect
the living? Will they be enough to protect her?

PROLOGUE

I tried to tell them it was going to happen, but nobody would listen.
They all said I was just having bad dreams, or that I was crazy.
It started at my father’s funeral. It’s been so long since it first
began, about eight years ago. Sometimes though, it seems like yesterday. My father was there. No, I don’t mean just in the casket. He was there. He talked to me, begged me to tell Mom that we all needed to run and hide. He said we were all in danger.

I asked him why he didn’t tell Mom himself. He said he tried, but she wasn’t listening. I heard him fine. But I didn’t believe him. Why would we be in danger? We can’t just up and leave. My friends are all here in Beaumont. When I told him this, he said it was important, that it was a matter of life and death. He seemed so worried, but I was so confused, I blew him off.

I guess when it first happened I didn’t pay any heed to his warning. We went on with our lives. Mom was grief stricken, my brother Kyle was in his own world playing videos and I was trying to shut my father out of my mind. Was I going crazy? What was wrong with me? Dad was dead, but I could still see and hear him.

If I tell you the story, will you believe me?

BIO:

A paralegal by day, she’s an author by night. Apart from being an award winning author for her short story "Cut", Reina has appeared in a blaze and made her mark on the literary world with her Ivanovich Series.
The first is “In the Name of Revenge”, the second, “Deadly Decisions” and the third, "One Major Mistake" was released July 10, 2012. Having studied and obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Literature/Creative Writing, she has found her unique style and is known for her works' distinctive voice, making every character stand out.
Reina is the artistic creator of the Ivanovich series featuring Pavel
Ivanovich. Flanking Ivanovich's side in "Deadly Decisions" is Teresa Mancini, who vies with Ivanovich for readers' attention. According to J.M. LeDuc, who was "raised in an Italian family", Teresa "is perfect...like all your characters". Reina is also the author of young adult novella "Cruel Whispers" and its sequel novel "Cruel Past".

Reina is an executive editor for Suspense Magazine. She has been
interviewed in the newspaper and on the radio with relation to her
fiction work. She has been a co-host on Suspense Radio.

Reina is a member of International Thriller Writers (ITW) and of
Sisters in Crime, Los Angeles Chapter and nationally. She has won three Best Speaker awards as well as Best Evaluator at the Voice Ambassadors Chapter of Toastmasters. She has always been active in events. As co-chair and main coordinator for the West Coast Author Premiere, she arranged the weekend-long event to help authors from all over network, learn and share their work with the public. Reina has also been instrumental in compiling authors and planning a local author event at Barnes and Noble in Ventura, California along with the store’s event manager.

Please read more about Starr at www.QueenWriter.com or visit her blog
at www.qw-blog.blogspot.com.



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.Book Tour: #Excerpt Bullet by @JadeCJamison

Bullet
by Jade C. Jamison

An Epic Rock Star NovelWhat if you discover the man you want is toxic?She tasted a little bit of heaven with him, and now they’ve gone through hell and back, but can their relationship take anymore?Valerie Quinn is a naïve college freshman when she meets on-the-rise rock star Ethan Richards. He’s an idealistic, handsome, reckless young man, but he’s captured her heart. She doesn’t give up on him and eventually his walls crumble down. By the time Valerie has given herself to him completely, she discovers he’s damaged and may be beyond help. Can she save Ethan and their relationship before he implodes, or will he self-destruct and take her with him? 

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Excerpt from Bullet 

Jade C. Jamison 

At first, driving down the mountain, Ethan just played the radio, and we didn’t say much to each other.  But then he said, “The past few months, I haven’t talked to you much.” 

Oh, well, this was a newsflash.  “Yeah…” 

“We’re good friends, right?  Or were good friends?” 

“Yeah, I thought so.” 

“And we kind of started getting hot and heavy there…and I sort of backed off.” 

I nodded and looked out the side window.  This was starting to piss me off.  I didn’t need to be reminded of what an ass he’d been to me.  “Yeah.”  There wasn’t much more I wanted to say. 

“There’s a reason for that.” 

I looked back over at him.  “What would that be?” 

“I…uh…started to care for you more than I should.” 

“What’s that supposed to mean?” 

“I can’t…shouldn’t.  I mean…you’re my muse, Valerie.”  Oh, God…there was that fucking word again.  “So I shouldn’t touch you.  And you seemed so innocent, Val…like an angel.  I don’t want to ruin that.” 

I started laughing.  “Oh, yeah, because metal is full of happy love songs, and everything is all happy and bright and innocent.” 

He laughed too.  “You know what I mean.” 

“Yeah, but I don’t think you get where I’m coming from.  Pain is part of life, Ethan, and I’m willing to take chances.  It hurt me more than you know when you just decided you were done with me.  Don’t you think that hurts more than just letting us explore where our relationship was going?”  I was looking at him, waiting to see what he thought.  “Even if it ends badly?  Isn’t it worth just trying?” 

He was quiet for a while.  We sped down the road, and I started thinking maybe that was the end of the conversation.  But then he said, “Not necessarily.”  He looked over at me.  “We were great friends, Val.  We go down that road…any way you can keep your heart out of it?” 

I wasn’t sure what he was asking.  “Why would I want to?” 

“So you didn’t get hurt.” 

It was my turn to contemplate the conversation.  I didn’t like the vibes I was getting from him.  “Would that be inevitable?” 

He kept his eyes on the road, but I could tell from his expression that there was no humor in his words.  “With me…probably.” 

I was getting upset.  It was like he’d made up his mind that anything between the two of us would end in disaster.  “It doesn’t have to be like that, Ethan.  It’ll only be like that if you make it that way.  And that would be a shitty thing to do.” 

That got his attention.  I didn’t curse like the rest of the guys did, so when I swore, they noticed.  He looked over at me, but it was like he was at a loss for words.  “If we’re friends, Ethan, then we move forward from there.  And friends care about each other, take care of each other.  Our friendship is mutual, isn’t it?”  He nodded.  “So who says it has to be complicated and calculated?  Why can’t nature just take its course?  Or is there something else you haven’t told me?” 

“No.” 

“Then why do we have to be afraid to see where this goes?” 

Oh…that hit a nerve.  Was he angry?  I couldn’t tell, but I wanted to listen carefully to what he said next.  “Caution is not the same as fear, Val, and why shouldn’t I worry about what happens to you?” 

“Don’t you see that’s what I’m saying, Ethan?  In your cautiousness for sparing me, you wound up hurting me worse than if we’d just let things happen.”  His jaw was clenched tight.  “I don’t care if you don’t want to hear that.  If you don’t want to pursue it further, that’s fine.  Just say so, but don’t pussyfoot around and then pretend like I’m a hot potato when things get a little warm.”  He still hadn’t said a word, so now was my chance to drive it home.  “And stop calling me your fucking muse, putting me up on a pedestal.  I’m your friend, and I’m a band member.  I’m an equal, so please treat me like one.” 

He seemed to think about it, and we sat in silence for a while.  We still weren’t talking by the time Ethan’s truck made it to the Springs.  He said, “You need to stop for anything?” 

“Nope.  I’m good.” 

We were on I-25 heading towards Denver when he started talking again.  “So…start fresh then?” 

Did he really mean it?  He seemed sincere, and I’d felt cheated of his affection from the first moment he’d pulled away.  Deep down, yes, I wanted to try it fresh.  I wanted a second chance.  I wanted to make a real go of it.  Rational or not, I loved Ethan.  I knew it was stupid, but it didn’t matter.  Stupid or not, I wanted him.  Part of me knew he was damaged…deeply damaged…and I think that part of me also wanted to try to save him.  So, yes, I wanted a fair chance.  I nodded.  “Yeah.” 

We were another few miles down the road when he said, “Am I fucking up anything between you and Brad?” 

I felt my eyes grow wide.  What the hell had Brad said?  Was Brad part of the reason Ethan had shied away from me?  “No.”  The less I said, the better. 

“You sure?” 

“Yeah.  I’m sure.  There’s nothing there.”  Well, that wasn’t true.  There was some irrational sexual attraction there that I didn’t think would ever disappear.  Love, though?  Nope.  My feelings for Ethan blinded me to anyone else. 

“Does he know that?” 

“What’s that supposed to mean?” 

His voice was quiet.  “I see the way he looks at you.” 

Oh.  I didn’t know Brad looked at me a certain way.  But we weren’t going there.  I refused.  “Ethan, whatever happened between Brad and me is over.  You heard him say it himself to my dad, and he meant it.  He didn’t want a relationship screwing up the band so he instituted a hands off policy.  There is nothing there.”  Wow…was I protesting too much?  Time to shut up, Valerie. 

He wasn’t saying much of anything either, and I had no idea what to expect.  Little sprinkles hit the windshield as a light rain cooled the early September air.  I looked out the window at the gray skies.  Finally, he spoke again.  “I know it’s really none of my business, but I gotta know.  Did you sleep with him?” 

I don’t know why I told him.  “You’re right.  It’s none of your business, but no.  We didn’t sleep together.”  I sighed.  This conversation felt like an exercise in futility.  “I’m still a virgin.” 

I saw him let the breath out of his lungs, almost like what I’d said was a shock.  But then he hit me with a curveball.  “So why are you on the pill then?” 

My voice probably got higher than I should have let it.  “What?  How’d you know about that?” 

“I’ve seen you take it once or twice.  I’m not an idiot.” 

Fair enough.  “I wanted to be safe.” 

“With Brad.” 

I had to be honest.  “Yeah, with Brad.  We’d…”  Shit, this was hard.  I looked out the side window again.  “Things got a little…heated, and I wanted to be safe.” 

“Did I do that to you?” 

I felt my cheeks growing hot.  “Do what?” 

“Make you feel heated?” 

“Yeah…you did.” 

He seemed satisfied with my answer.  We didn’t say anything else the rest of the way to Denver.  Throughout the summer, we’d been driving into the city at night, and I’d been dazzled by the bright lights against the dark backdrop.  Seeing the city in the daytime, though…floored me.  It was huge.  I was a small town girl.  But Denver…it stretched on and on.  To the west, it butted up against the mountains and to the east, it sprawled and stretched as far as my eyes could see.  And to the north?  I had no idea if the city ever really ended.  Yes, I believed Brad was right when he said we’d have so many places to play, we’d never reach the end.  Could we get noticed, though?  Would we be able to make it?  It remained to be seen, but that he had that unshakable faith helped me believe it too.  That didn’t, however, make me feel any less overwhelmed by the sight of the metropolis spread forth in front of me. 

Ethan navigated the traffic like a pro.  It was before rush hour, so even though the traffic seemed crazy to me at the time, it was actually pretty light.  After a while, we reached our destination in a small dark parking garage.  I was glad to be able to get out of the truck and stretch. 

Ethan joined me on the passenger side of the truck.  I asked, “How many trips do you think it’ll take us to haul all my crap up?” 

He smiled and shrugged.  “We’ll make the guys help.”  Without warning, he closed the gap between us, his hands on my hips.  His touch was aggressive, and I felt breathless.  My back was pressed against the warm, smooth side of his truck, and I noticed my hands were cupping his biceps.  “I just want to make it clear.  Unlike Brad, I didn’t make your dad any promises.”  He smothered me in a soul-searching kiss that I felt clear to the tips of my toes.  The muscles throughout my body grew taut, aching for his touch.  Yes, I wanted Ethan.  I’d always wanted Ethan.  I loved him and maybe, finally, we could explore the relationship he’d denied us before.  As my tongue fought against his and my hands wound through his hair, I at last had hope that we could try.

Jade C. Jamison was born and raised in Colorado, moved from one city/town to the next, and she’s decided she likes it so much she wants to stay…although travel is not out of the question. She lives in a big town in Colorado (not unlike Winchester!) with her husband and four children. She is working on becoming a crazy cat lady. Okay, so maybe not.
Still want more? Jade has a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Theater, a master’s degree in English, and a master of fine arts in Creative Writing. Obviously, she loves school and the student loan folks love her. She works in human services by day, teaches English and creative writing at night, and—in between playing soccer mom and community leader—writes like a fiend. Someday soon, she’ll narrow it down to just writing, but let’s get all those kids off to college first.

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Tour Schedule:

March 25th
Ellie Lovenbooks – Review and Guest Post

March 26th
RomFan Reviews - Review
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March 27th
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April 3rd

PNR Urban Fantasy Reviews – Promo and Excerpt
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