Monday, November 2, 2015

Compulsion Cover Reveal by R.Holmes and Lillian Bryant

Release Day: December, 1st


Blurb:

Adley

 I’m a beacon for every fucked up guy within a hundred mile radius. What’s even more fucked up? I like it. I use them just as they use me. I don’t want serious, I don’t want long term and I sure as shit don’t want your “commitment.” I live my life simply and I live my life for me. I like not having to answer to anyone but myself. Until him. It’s just takes one time, to ruin it all. For everything to come crashing down around us. He was worth that chance. He was worth every repercussion. Every fucking time, he was worth it.


Aidan 

 My life is a sequence of perfectly orchestrated events. Nothing gets in my way of a job well done, healing is my life, and at the end of the day… it's just me. I'm responsible for my own destiny. Until her. She is the temptation I never wanted… the one thing that could ruin everything I've built… the scary part… I can't help but let her.


 This is a story of how two people come together and set a fire to everything they touch. A burning blaze of frenzied kisses, stolen moments and a love so consuming it could burn down cities. It isn’t pretty and it isn’t perfect but it’s real. Be careful what you wish for.

 ADD TO GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27223037-compulsion ADD TO   GOODREADS FOLLOW THE AUTHORS LILLIAN BRYANT https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14206460.Lillian_Bryant http://instagram.com/author_lillian_bryant Author Goodreads Page I Instagram I Facebook

Monday, October 26, 2015

PerfectlyAlignedReveal

Perfectly Aligned by Stephanie Alba Publication Date: October 20, 2015 Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

PerfectlyAligned

Pucharse on Amazon • Nook • iBooks

How does your mind move on from someone your soul can't seem to forget? How can your heart resist a love that never fully came to be?

Ten years. It's been ten years since Hailee saw Corwin Rogers. In person that is, because despite their lack of physical contact, Corwin's gorgeous face has plagued her dreams all this time. In its most idle hours of the night, her mind always reverts back to the image of the teenage boy she loved in secret years ago. They were classmates for four years, forging a limited friendship within school grounds and occasional parties, but they also shared a unique bond over their struggles. Hailee never told him how she felt, and she wasn't sure if the feelings were reciprocated, but she always wondered. How could she not when he shared so much of himself with her and only her? Seeing him a decade after their high school graduation presents the two with another fateful opportunity to be everything for one another. Hailee starts to consider that her inexplicable dreams actually mean something, and that her ties to Corwin are stronger than she ever allowed herself to believe. But after years of separation, their chance at happiness is challenged by secrets from their time apart. When the truth emerges, colliding pasts and futures, Hailee and Corwin have to decide if they truly are perfectly aligned.
Add to Goodreads

About Stephanie Alba

StephanieAlba
Stephanie Alba has wanted to write for as long as she can remember. Writing was always a way to express herself, as well as an escape. In August of 2014, Stephanie decided to start writing a story that she dreamed about. At first it was just something fun for her to do, a way of keeping her sanity during her first year as a stay at home mom. Over the months she couldn’t stop writing and that’s where For Both Are Infinite came along. Rhys and Ellie’s story was hard work, but it allowed her to fulfill the goal she’d always had of writing a novel. Before becoming an indie author, Stephanie taught high school English. Now she is a stay at home mom to the happiest baby ever, a wife to an amazing husband, and a graduate school student. She also hopes to continue writing. When she’s not glued to her laptop or with a notebook in her hand, she’s swimming, running, reading or chasing her toddler. Stephanie is currently working on her second novel, a friends to lovers story set in Washington state. It is set to release during fall 2015. She also plans on writing more of Ellie and Rhys’ story, as well as stories focusing on other characters you meet in For Both Are Infinite.

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

PerfectlyAlignedReveal

Perfectly Aligned by Stephanie Alba Publication Date: October 20, 2015 Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

PerfectlyAligned

How does your mind move on from someone your soul can't seem to forget? How can your heart resist a love that never fully came to be?

Ten years. It's been ten years since Hailee saw Corwin Rogers. In person that is, because despite their lack of physical contact, Corwin's gorgeous face has plagued her dreams all this time. In its most idle hours of the night, her mind always reverts back to the image of the teenage boy she loved in secret years ago. They were classmates for four years, forging a limited friendship within school grounds and occasional parties, but they also shared a unique bond over their struggles. Hailee never told him how she felt, and she wasn't sure if the feelings were reciprocated, but she always wondered. How could she not when he shared so much of himself with her and only her? Seeing him a decade after their high school graduation presents the two with another fateful opportunity to be everything for one another. Hailee starts to consider that her inexplicable dreams actually mean something, and that her ties to Corwin are stronger than she ever allowed herself to believe. But after years of separation, their chance at happiness is challenged by secrets from their time apart. When the truth emerges, colliding pasts and futures, Hailee and Corwin have to decide if they truly are perfectly aligned.
Add to Goodreads

About Stephanie Alba

StephanieAlba
Stephanie Alba has wanted to write for as long as she can remember. Writing was always a way to express herself, as well as an escape. In August of 2014, Stephanie decided to start writing a story that she dreamed about. At first it was just something fun for her to do, a way of keeping her sanity during her first year as a stay at home mom. Over the months she couldn’t stop writing and that’s where For Both Are Infinite came along. Rhys and Ellie’s story was hard work, but it allowed her to fulfill the goal she’d always had of writing a novel. Before becoming an indie author, Stephanie taught high school English. Now she is a stay at home mom to the happiest baby ever, a wife to an amazing husband, and a graduate school student. She also hopes to continue writing. When she’s not glued to her laptop or with a notebook in her hand, she’s swimming, running, reading or chasing her toddler. Stephanie is currently working on her second novel, a friends to lovers story set in Washington state. It is set to release during fall 2015. She also plans on writing more of Ellie and Rhys’ story, as well as stories focusing on other characters you meet in For Both Are Infinite.

I am so excited that WALK ON EARTH A STRANGER by Rae Carson releases today and that I get to share the news, along with an awesome giveaway!
If you haven’t yet heard about this wonderful new series by Rae Carson, be sure to check out all the details below.

This blitz also includes a giveaway for a set of the GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS series (in paperback format). US only. So if you’d like a chance to win, enter in the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post.



About The Book:


Title: WALK ON EARTH A STRANGER
Author: Rae Carson
Pub. Date: September 22, 2015
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Pages: 448

The first book in a new trilogy from acclaimed New York Times bestselling author Rae Carson. A young woman with the magical ability to sense the presence of gold must flee her home, taking her on a sweeping and dangerous journey across Gold Rush–era America.

Lee Westfall has a secret. She can sense the presence of gold in the world around her. Veins deep beneath the earth, pebbles in the river, nuggets dug up from the forest floor. The buzz of gold means warmth and life and home—until everything is ripped away by a man who wants to control her. Left with nothing, Lee disguises herself as a boy and takes to the trail across the country. Gold was discovered in California, and where else could such a magical girl find herself, find safety? Rae Carson, author of the acclaimed Girl of Fire and Thorns trilogy, dazzles with this new fantasy that subverts both our own history and familiar fantasy tropes.

Walk on Earth a Stranger, the first book in this new trilogy, introduces—as only Rae Carson can—a strong heroine, a perilous road, a fantastical twist, and a slow-burning romance. Includes a map and author’s note on historical research. 




Read chapter 1 of WALK ON EARTH A STRANGER annotated by Rae Carson HERE!






About Rae:
Rae Carson is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the acclaimed Girl of Fire and Thorns trilogy. Her next book, Walk On Earth A Stranger, will be available September 22, 2015. She lives in Arizona with her husband.












Connect with the Author: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads




Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a set of the 3 GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS series (in paperback format). US Only.


Ends on September 30th at Midnight EST!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, September 8, 2015



I am so excited that SWEET TEMPTATION by Wendy Higgins releases today and that I get to share the news, along with an awesome giveaway!

If you haven’t yet heard about this wonderful series by Wendy Higgins, be sure to check out all the details below.


This blitz also includes a giveaway for a a paperback of the book with a signed bookplate and bookmarks! US only. So if you’d like a chance to win, enter in the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post.

About The Book:


Title: SWEET TEMPTATION
Author: Wendy Higgins
Pub. Date: September 8, 2015
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 485
Format: Paperback, eBook, audiobook

Bad boy Kaidan Rowe has never wanted for anything—money, popularity, musical talent…hot girls—but seducing them is part of his duty as a Nephilim, slave to the demon Dukes. As the son of the Duke of Lust, Kaidan has learned his father’s ways, becoming a master of passion, a manipulator of chemistry. Disobeying his father would mean certain death. Thankfully for Kaidan, he’s good at his job. And he enjoys it.

Until he meets Anna Whitt—sweet, smart, feisty, and inexplicably good—the one girl seemingly immune to his charms. The daughter of a guardian angel and a fallen one, she has a certain power over him, one that makes him wish for more than he could ever deserve.

Determined to save all the Neph from their dark lives as the influencers of sin, Anna joins forces with Kaidan to overcome the demons’ oppressive ways. In the light of her affections, Kaidan must undergo his toughest test of all, a battle of the heart.

Sensual and swoon worthy, this companion volume to the acclaimed Sweet Evil series from New York Times bestselling author Wendy Higgins, told from the perspective of the irresistibly sexy and mysterious Kaidan Rowe, gives readers revealing insights into his struggle, his intense connection to Anna, and most of all, the true emotions that drive him.


Author Note:
Sweet Temptation will encompass the entire trilogy in a condensed version, beginning with Kai's life before he met Anna, and taking readers through the epilogue of Sweet Reckoning. Sweet Temptation is a companion novel, not meant to be a stand alone story. It will definitely be a richer experience for those who have read the original trilogy.




Go HERE to read an excerpt fro SWEET TEMPTATION!

Also check out Wendy's PINTEREST board for KAI!




About Wendy Higgins:


Wendy Higgins is the USA Today and NYT bestselling author of the Sweet Evil series from HarperTeen and her independently published Irish fantasy, See Me. She is a former high school English teacher who now writes full time, and lives on the Eastern Shore of Virginia with her veterinarian husband, daughter, son, and doggie Rue. 
Wendy earned a bachelor's in Creative Writing from George Mason University and a master's in Curriculum and Instruction from Radford. Writing Young Adult (YA) stories gives her the opportunity to delve into the ambiguities of those pivotal, daunting, and exciting years before adulthood.






Connect with the author:





Giveaway Details:

1 Paperback of SWEET TEMPTATION and a signed bookplate and bookmarks. US Only.

Ends on September 18th at Midnight EST!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Waiting On Wednesday #7





Kindle Edition
Expected publication: August 11th 2015 by St. Martin's Paperbacks
Grace is a bounty hunter who wants to be taken seriously, but her boss refuses to believe that a woman can bring down a dangerous criminal. She finally gets a chance to prove herself when she's given the case of a lifetime: capture Raide Knox and bring him to justice.
Raide is a dangerous fugitive on the run...and the sexiest man Grace has ever met. Catching Raide won't be easy. He's not the kind of man to go down without a fight. Raide is more intense and frustrating than any man she's ever had to deal with, and the instantaneous attraction that sparks between them is undeniable. One thing is for sure...it's going to be a case they will never forget.
**Hard To Fight is a full-length standalone romance with a HEA**

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Hard To Break by Bella Jewel Cover Reveal


HARD TO BREAK is the sequel to HARD TO FIGHT (available on August 11, 2015). 
HARD TO BREAK
An Alpha’s Heart Novel
By Bella Jewel
On Sale: October 13, 2015
eBook: $3.99
ABOUT THE BOOK
The second book in the sexy Alpha's Heart series by USA Today bestseller Bella Jewel.
Quinn has spent her whole life working in her dad's garage, leaving her more comfortable with a carburetor than a curling iron.  Her world is turned upside down when her beloved garage is bought by none other than world famous, sexy as sin, custom car builder, Tazen Watts.  He's the one man she can't stand...even though he makes her hotter than a high performance engine in top gear.

Tazen has no use for Quinn, at least not professionally, and he's making sure she knows it. But there's a spark between them that she's finding hard to ignore.  She's determined to prove her talent is as impressive as her sassy mouth. When she finds out Tazen is hiding a secret that could bring down his career and everyone involved in it, she wonders: is falling for him is going to be worth the risk?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bella Jewel is a USA Today bestselling author. She lives in North Queensland where she's working on her next novel.

 PREORDER YOUR COPIES NOW!
HARD TO FIGHT - $3.99
Google Play: http://bit.ly/1OOLpzr

HARD TO BREAK - $3.99
Google Play: http://bit.ly/1MURkBP

Friday, July 10, 2015

Scorched by R. Holmes Cover Reveal



Scorched
Author: R. Holmes
Release Date: September 15, 2015
Genre: Erotic Romance












Blurb:
Hale Jarreau left my life the same way he entered it--all at once.
We once burned like a fire, raging and consuming and I spent my life loving him. I didn't have a choice.
And then, he was gone; leaving my heart aching and my soul empty.
Time doesn't heal a damn thing and pain comes in many forms. But time only makes that pain ache deeper.
It makes forgetting impossible.
Every love has its story.
This one is ours.















ADD TO YOUR TBR SHELF:
Goodreads | Scorched by R. Holmes
FACEBOOK:
Author R. Holmes
INSTAGRAM:
@rholmesauthor


Tuesday, July 7, 2015

In My Mailbox # 3








ebook
Published July 7th 2015 by Smashwords Edition


Gemma Summers is unlucky in love.
She’s known it since third grade, when her first crush blew a spitball into her hair, and a decade-long string of bad dates, boring sex, and abysmal morning-afters has done nothing to improve her prospects. 
But when a random radio call-in contest lands her courtside tickets to the hottest playoff game of the season, Gemma’s luck may finally be on the upswing — even if it doesn’t exactly seem like it when the dreaded jumbotron kiss-cam lands on her and her date, who’s too busy ignoring her to notice… 

Chase Croft doesn’t date.
Despite ample opportunity as Boston’s most eligible bachelor, the reformed bad-boy would rather put his energy into taking over the family business than weed through a world of gold-diggers to find an honest woman. 
But when the beautiful girl in the seat next to him becomes a courtside spectacle at the hands of her loser boyfriend, he can’t help but step in and save the day. 

One kiss. Two strangers. No strings attached.
The only problem is, Chase is used to getting whatever he wants. And after kissing Gemma once, he knows one thing…
He wants more.

NOT YOU IT’S ME is a full-length, standalone contemporary romance about a girl who doesn’t believe in love… and the man who changes her mind. Due to sexy-times and strong language, it is intended for readers 17 and up. 






Paperback240 pages
Published July 7th 2015 by Bantam


Perfect for fans of Christina Lauren, Emma Chase, and Maya Banks, the anticipated finale in New York Times bestselling author Monica Murphy’s sexy contemporary romance series about three fiery and determined sisters with their own ideas about life and love.
 
I’m in trouble. Again. And instead of facing my problems head on, I’ve run away. Far away this time, and no one can catch me—not my two younger sisters, Violet and Rose, not my father, my grandmother, or that witch Pilar who wants to take control of my family’s cosmetics company. Now I’m in Hawaii, enjoying the sun and the sand and water, where nobody knows the hot mess known as Lily Fowler. And I’m loving every minute of it.
 
But someone is watching me. Following me. He’s gorgeous. And soon we’re talking, and against all my instincts, I reveal bits and pieces of myself to Max. It feels good, though I know he can’t be the man for me. These sudden feelings we share are way too complicated, too fraught, too intense.
 
Then everything explodes and I’m forced to return home. My intentions have always been true, but now everyone’s mad at me. I don’t know who to turn to anymore . . . except to Max. He’s who I want to trust. But I’m not so sure I should. Maybe it’s worth the risk—and what-ifs be damned. . 




Published July 7th 2015


I come from a family of fighters. I always thought I’d follow in their shadows, becoming unstoppable in the ring. That changed the day I saved the life of a woman I loved, but could never have.

My brother hailed me as a hero, and my reward was a wheelchair.

Paralyzed, my life became an inescapable nightmare.

Until I met her.

Ash Mabie had a heart-stopping smile and a laugh that numbed the rage and resentment brewing inside of me. She showed me that even the darkest night still had stars, and it didn’t matter one bit that you had to lie in the weeds to see them.

I was a jaded asshole who fell for a girl with a knack for running away. I couldn’t even walk but I would have spent a lifetime chasing her.

Now, I’m on the ropes during the toughest battles of my life.
Fighting the shadows of our past.
Fighting to reclaim my future.
Fighting for her.




Kindle Edition416 pages
Published July 7th 2015 by Hachette Book Group

"We met in a nightmare. The in-between world where time had no power over reason. We fell in love. We fell hard. But then we woke up. And it was over . . ."

RUIN & RULE

She is a woman divided. Her past, present, and future are as twisted as the lies she's lived for the past eight years. Desperate to get the truth, she must turn to the one man who may also be her greatest enemy . . . 

He is the president of Pure Corruption MC. A heartless biker and retribution-deliverer. He accepts no rules, obeys no one, and lives only to reap revenge on those who wronged him. And now he has stolen her, body and soul.

Can a woman plagued by mystery fall in love with the man who refuses to face the truth? And can a man drenched in darkness forgo his quest for vengeance-and finally find redemption?






Paperback336 pages
Published July 7th 2015 by Gallery Books


Billionaire playboy? Check. 
Ruthless businessman? Check. 
Absolutely sinful? Check.

Malcolm Saint was an assignment. A story. A beautiful, difficult man I was supposed to uncover for a racy exposé.

I intended to reveal him, his secrets, his lifestyle—not let him reveal me. But my head was overtaken by my heart and suddenly nothing could stop me from falling. I fell for him, and I fell hard. 

Malcolm Saint is absolute Sin, and I've become a hopeless Sinner.

Now that the assignment is over, Saint wants something from me--something unexpected--and I want this wicked playboy's heart. But how can I prove to the man who trusts no one that I’m worthy of becoming his plus one?

Monday, June 29, 2015

Scars Run Deep by Helen Boswell Cover Reveal

BOOK & AUTHOR INFO:

Scars Run Deep by Helen Boswell
Publication date: September 22nd 2015
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult

Synopsis:
Good things generally don’t happen to me.
And if they do, it’s not long before something comes around and bites me in the ass. Ten-fold. 
Jase Moretti has been running from a tragedy in his past for almost his entire life. Now at twenty-three years old, he finally has everything going for him – the promise of an exciting career and an engagement ring in his pocket ready to propose to the girl of his dreams. But when his path crosses with Elle Garcia’s during one reckless night in Vegas, he’s forced to revisit his past and the tragedy that he was responsible for. Jase has the rare opportunity to right the wrongs in his life, but in order to do it, he has to help Elle, the girl he’s hated for thirteen years.
A chance meeting.
A chance for redemption.
A chance for his scars to heal.
But Jase’s scars run deeper than he thinks, and he isn’t the only one with old wounds. As he learns more about Elle, he discovers he has to make a choice. Give up his perfect life or keep living the perfect lie?






AUTHOR BIO:
Helen Boswell loved to get lost in the pages of a story from the time she could sound out the words. Originally from upstate New York, Helen spent much of her early adult life tromping around in Buffalo, NYC, Toronto, and Las Vegas, those cities now serving as inspiration for the dark and gritty urban backdrops of her stories. An author of both urban fantasy and contemporary romance, she loves to read and write characters that come to life with their beauty, flaws, and all.

Helen dedicates her time to raising her family of two boys, teaching college students, and of course, writing. 

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Uncovering Love by Kacey Shea Review



Kindle Edition231 pages
Expected publication: June 30th 2015 by Kacey Shea Books LLC

Evelyn Harper lived the perfect life.
Until she was fired from her job.
After a ridiculous idea devised among friends comes to existence, Evelyn finds herself part owner in a private investigation firm specializing in matters of the heart. Throughout wild antics with her best friends Jonathan and Kate, Evelyn conducts relationship background checks for a wide variety of clients.  
Soon it becomes clear that one case has moved beyond professional and Evelyn finds herself fighting an attraction she cannot resist. 
Will Evelyn admit her feelings when she uncovers love in the most unexpected of places?







My Review:(Kelly)

I want to start off by saying that I really wanted to love this book.I was patiently waiting for its release just like everyone else was when I was contacted by the author to receive an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

I found the plot of the story to be very slow and hardly interesting.I have never encountered a New Adult based around a PI service. I wanted to be intrigued. I really did but the storyline just failed to deliver for me.

The character development could have used some more work in my opinion. I felt that Tate was too perfect. I think if he had a little more edge and some more angst it could have easily made the story so much better.I didn't mind Kate she was spunky and a really great friend and I liked her personality. Evie was just too plain for me. I didn't hate her but I didn't love her either.

Jon however was the only character to have an interesting back story and he was my favorite male in the book still I kept getting annoyed with him.He's known Kate and Evie for a long time, even crushed on both of them back in high school yet years later he's still trying to make up his damn mind.  



It took me longer than usual to get through this one and on multiple occasions I wanted to quit but something in me kept telling me that the pace will pick up. And just like I predicted the story got better just not enough to make me fall in love. Evie and Tate's love story was just not my cup of tea. We all know I love a HEA but I found this one to be a bit too cheesy for my liking.



My final thoughts:

This is the author's first novel and although this book wasn't a 5 stars for me I wouldn't rule her out just yet. I have a feeling that she will produce some great reads with time. I also found that Jon and Kate's voices were the only ones that I enjoyed and I think the two would make a great couple. I hope this will be the case with the second book and yes I will be reading the next one.


Cover Reveal- For both Are Infinite By Stephanie Alba






Title: For Both Are Infinite
Author: Stephanie Alba
Cover Reveal:  June 16, 2015
Release Date: July 14, 2015
Hosted by: SBB Promotions


Add to TBR on Goodreads:
 HYPERLINK "https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25569826-for-both-are-infinite" \t "_blank" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25569826-for-both-are-infinite



Synopsis:

Living in London was always part of the plan. Ellie just didn't expect to do it alone. Running away and starting anew was the only solution.
She set some rules for herself: no connections, no love, no friends.
Work would be her only solace.
But when she's assigned to train Rhys Edwards, Britain's Heartthrob, for his run as Hamlet on West End, all her plans fade away. Ellie soon realizes that just because you're breathing, it doesn't mean you're alive, and she learns it's the connections in life that make it worth living.

Playlist:

 HYPERLINK "http://stephaniealba.com/extras/playlists/" http://stephaniealba.com/extras/playlists/

Excerpt:

“We’re heading in your direction. We are just parking and we'll be there in a few,” John said.
“Okay, see you in a few minutes.”
Immense pressure welled in my chest so tightly it felt as if my ribs were cracking. Self-consciously, I stood in front of the mirror to tuck stray hairs into place and straighten my skirt. I was the first in the meeting room and the waiting made me all the more anxious. I was quite nervous, not about meeting a gorgeous celebrity, but because this was my first opportunity to really prove myself.
I knew John trusted me, but it would be nice to confirm that he had made the right choice, despite my foreigner status. I also wanted to do right by Shakespeare’s work. Having studied this for over six years, I felt uniquely protective of him and his life’s effort, as if it was my responsibility to care for his legacy since he couldn’t do it himself.
I had been sitting in a chair before I realized that it was impractical to sit when they walked in, so I clumsily stood up and walked to appropriately greet them by the door. Mentally, I reminded myself to relax just as John, Michael Murphy, the director, and Rhys Edwards walked by the glass wall of the room and approached the door. I raised my hand casually, smiling at them as I waved and I noticed hesmiled back. I regretted waving, finding it awkward, not quite understanding why I did it, and his smile didn’t help the situation.
It made me feel noticed and stripped when he gazed at me. I was hoping the butterflies in my stomach were work related because I hadn’t felt that in a long while and it made me uncomfortable to feel such ancient emotions. No one had affected me like that in over two years and I wanted to keep it that way. Barely managing to catch my breath, I greeted John and waited for the director to introduce himself.
Michael Murphy wasn’t tall or short, but of average height and heavy set. The weight was primarily at his center, bulging out of his high-waist pants, with his suspenders barely held them up. He seemed artsy, wearing a golfer hat and a full red beard that covered the majority of his face. But it was his voice that stood out the most, loud and projecting through my ears as he intrusively stood too close.
“Hello, I’m Michael. I’ll be directing the production,” he said, shaking my hand. He then gestured to the younger of the three men, and said, “And this is the star of our show, who needs no introduction, Mr. Rhys Edwards.”
Mr. Edwards shared a warm smile with a hint of modesty over his introduction. Making eye contact, I extended my hand towards him and said, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir. I’m Ellie Reed, and I’m looking forward to working with you.”
He took me by surprise when he didn’t shake my hand, but instead enveloped it in between the two of his. This was no ordinary handshake, it was affection reserved for people who shared a connection or had known each other for years. He stared at me with an intense, but comfortable familiarity and said, “As am I. I’m glad to meet you and grateful to you already.”
I froze. I hadn’t expected him to be this way or to immediately like him. The longer I stared into his eyes, the more I could see not just their beauty, but their kindness exuding from the crystal blue irises that stared back at me. Instantly, I felt at ease as they gave off the sincerest honesty I’d ever felt from another person. But there was also a discomfort in my heart that came with that momentary peace.
“I’m really excited to work together,” he said, still holding my hand in his, bringing me out of my hypnotic trance. I became hypocritically aware that Mr. Murphy’s proximity had bothered me, yet Rhys’ left me calm and thrilled. I wasn’t sure I was okay with that, or if I really understood it. If anything it left me curious for more.
Blinking out of it, I responded. “Yes, me too,” and despite my earlier apprehensions, I meant it.


About the Author:

Stephanie Alba grew up in Hialeah, Fl. with her Cuban grandparents and holds a BA in English Literature from University of Central Florida. From an early age, she always wanted to become a writer and began working towards that goal during her first year at home with her infant.
Before becoming a stay-at-home mom, Stephanie taught high school English and Literature. Though she misses her "kids", writing is her passion and all of her stories resonate with her experiences in some way. They are works of fiction, but just as they connect with her, she hopes they also connect with her readers.
She continues to live in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl.  with her husband and son. She When she isn't writing, Stephanie is reading, finishing up graduate school, and spending time with her family.



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