The sparks of dislike burn hot, but the sparks of mutual attraction burn even hotter. Ever Montgomery suffered the ultimate betrayal by the one man who she should have been able to count on for anything. It has left her hurt, jaded and incapable of forming relationships, but it also means that she can spot a liar a mile away. These traits are earning her a reputation as a reporter with a keen nose for a good story and a complete understanding of the extreme power of the written word. Lincoln Caldwell, is the hot goalie for the New York Rangers. At twenty-four and a rising star, he works hard and he plays even harder. He’s gorgeous and carefree—the ultimate charmer. Ladies fall at his feet and the single life has never been lived the way Linc Caldwell does it. When Ever publishes an article about Linc containing information that she received off the record, she finds herself on the receiving end of the athelete’s fury. Rather than basking in the glory of exposing Linc as a shameless user of women, she finds herself at his mercy when he demands and receives retribution. Required by her editor to trail Linc for six weeks, Ever is forced to look at the real Linc Caldwell. And she just might find that she has misjudged him.
About the Author
Sawyer Bennett is the pen name for a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. She is married to a mobster (well, a market researcher) and they have two big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn't have many weakness but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate.
Jude has spent the whole twenty three years of his life running. From what, he wasn't quite sure. His mother tried to keep him safe; a low profile, a constant move on the horizon, a week's pay always stashed away. She tried to instill in him that he was special somehow, though would never elaborate. He never felt different. He was so completely normal and vanilla that he wondered if it had all been in her head. But then she was murdered and all he saw was a running silhouette of a man as his mother said three final words to him. Three words that changed his whole being. Never stop running… Now he's semi-settled into a big town. The college is huge and easy to blend into. It's been three months since he had to move because 'Biloxi', as he calls the man who killed his mother, found him once more. Then Marley, an eighteen year old girl who is as infuriating as she is blissfully ignorant of her gorgeousness, smashes into his car with hers. Then smashes into his life as he realizes that whatever it is he has that Biloxi wants, she has it, too. And now, they're after them both.
About the Author
Shelly is a New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author from a small town in Georgia and
loves everything about the south. She is wife to a fantastical husband and stay at home mom to two
boisterous and mischievous boys who keep her on her toes. They currently reside in everywhere USA
as they happily travel all over with her husband's job. She loves to spend time with her family, binge on
candy corn, go out to eat at new restaurants, buy paperbacks at little bookstores, site see in the new
areas they travel to, listen to music everywhere and also LOVES to read.
Her own books happen by accident and she revels in the writing and imagination process. She doesn't
go anywhere without her notepad for fear of an idea creeping up and not being able to write it down
immediately, even in the middle of the night, where her best ideas are born.
Alex had everything when he was with Madison. But the darkness within him wouldn't go away.
After two years apart, he returns to Pelican Bluffs and to the girl he never wanted to leave. Madison wants to give their love another chance, but Alex can't fight fate.
He is what he is.
Ruined. Crazy like his mother. And Madison deserves so much more. When his secrets spill out into their small town, Alex has a choice to make. Hide away in the darkness forever, or let love in.
Excerpt
My first memory of my mom’s schizophrenia is of her, locked in the bathroom of our home back in California, shrieking that “they” were coming in the windows. I was maybe four years old, and the only one able to talk to her because she always lapses into Japanese when she gets scared. I didn’t know how to call the police. I wasn’t even in kindergarten yet. I just sat outside the bathroom door and begged her to let me in. Maternal instinct won out and she opened the door, then told me to call for help. She showed me how to use the phone.
After that, I became Mom’s protector. I was the one who made sure she took her medication by begging her to open the childproof bottles and dumping the pills into a pill sorter that put a dose in each compartment. I was the one who warded off the social workers who wanted to take her away or me away or both, by playing games and refusing to speak if they separated us. I was the one who became her legal guardian when I turned eighteen. I’ll be the one to look after her for the rest of her colorful and tortured life. Assuming I can hold it together.
My life isn’t one I’d wish on my worst enemy. I love my mother, but her condition destroyed my childhood. Whoever ends up responsible for me is in for a similar catastrophe. There’s not much I can control about losing my mind, but I can control this: The person responsible for me will never be Madison Lukas. She deserves better than that. Even if I have to break my own heart a thousand times over to give her freedom, I’ll do it, because I love her more than she could ever imagine. She’s everything to me.
About The Author
Emily Mah Tippetts writes romance under the name E.M. Tippetts and science fiction and fantasy under the name Emily Mah. Originally from New Mexico, she now lives in London with her family. Before she was a published author, she was an attorney who specialized in real estate, contracts, and estate planning, especially literary estate planning.
Readers in search of something fresh in the adult contemporary romance department will celebrate the arrival of C. Michelle’s vibrant debut novel, Pinned Up. Full of snappy dialogue, edgy humor, and a lot of heart, this fun look into the world of a modern-day pin-up model is one interesting journey. Are you ready to embark on a wild ride? Twenty-five-year-old Nina Moretti lives a double life of sorts. She’s a victim advocate during the day and as a side gig, lives out her 1940s fetish as a pin-up model. This arrangement suits her well, as does never having a steady boyfriend. Trust is an issue that was ruined for Nina at a young age and has yet to be recovered. While she may not “do” serious relationships, she has found fulfillment in her work and hanging out with her best friend, Kade—the greatest sidekick any woman could possibly want. All is well in Nina’s hectic, but satisfying life… That is, until she meets Josh, a stunningly handsome man who has a notorious reputation as a ladies’ man. Living in San Francisco, California, Nina has met her fair share of eligible bachelors. But there is something different about Josh, something that compels her to try and get to know him better. For his part, Josh has always been reluctant to commit to any woman, largely as a way to spite his well-meaning, but rather overbearing mother. Nina, however, sparks his interest in a way that no other woman has before. What are two people, both scared of commitment, supposed to do? Readers will feel an array of emotions as Nina and Josh do the unthinkable—embark on a relationship together. As they navigate the pitfalls of romantic entanglement, both come to realize that their pasts are intertwined in ways that they could never imagine. Perhaps they have more in common than just their fear of relationships.
A heartfelt novel depicting modern love with a refreshing twist, Pinned Up is a must-read.
Hi guys! I'm back with another edition of Music Monday ooops I mean Playlist Monday! This feature has been irregular since I started this one but alas here is another edition for you guys! Today I have a self-published author which actually made it big since her book 'Promise Me Darkness' made it to Amazon Bestseller, A New York Times Bestseller and a USA Today Bestseller!
Now if that doesn't sound good enough how about we listen to the music behind this best selling book?
So without further ado here's Paige Weaver talking about the music that inspired her to write Promise Me Darkness
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Music is such an inspiration for me. Sometimes, I hear a song and a whole story pops in my mind. Other times, a song just seems to be written especially for one of my characters, describing their personalities or circumstances perfectly.
For some of the songs below, I've included quotes from ‘Promise Me Darkness’ along with my reason for picking the song.
Taylor Swift ‘Mary’s Song (Oh My, My, My)’
‘A great weight had been lifted off of my shoulders. Ben wasn’t what I wanted or needed.
I wanted someone who knew me, the real me. I needed the person who knew all my
secrets and fears. I wanted a person who fought passionately and lived passionately.
I wanted my best friend.’ - Maddie, ‘Promise Me Darkness’
‘Promise Me Darkness,’ started with Taylor Swift’s song. As soon as I heard
it, I saw Maddie and Ryder’s story in my mind, playing like a movie. I imagined two
childhood friends growing up together on a farm. Their summers were spent swimming
in creeks, climbing trees, and running barefoot in the grass. In my mind, I saw them as
teenagers, sneaking out at night to spend time together. And I imagined them as adults,
still best friends but with something else lingering between them. Love.
Alex Clare ‘Too Close’
‘In the back of my mind, I knew this wasn’t right. I loved Ryder. I really did. I couldn’t
live without him. He made me feel things I’ve never felt before. But this was wrong even
if it did feel so right.’ - Maddie, Promise Me Darkness
This song explains how Ryder and Maddie feel about each other. Ryder is so close
to her that he’s terrified of his feelings, afraid he will hurt her and ruin their friendship.
He’s willing to walk away in order for Maddie to have the life she deserves, even if he is
the one that is destroyed. Maddie is fighting her attraction to Ryder, unsure how she can
be so completely in love with someone that is her best friend. ‘At the end of it all, you’re
still my best friend,’ is a line from Alex Clare’s song. It’s a perfect theme for the book
because no matter what they feel for each other, at the end of the day, their friendship
will never fade.
Kanye West ‘Stronger’
‘He wrapped an arm around my waist, drawing me closer. His hips started moving
against mine. We were touching everywhere, moving intimately to the deep bass of the
music. His movements mimicked sex. Words that were normally foreign to me were now
rattling around in my head - desire, need, passion.’ - Maddie, Promise Me Darkness
Kanye West’s song Stronger, I listened to many times while writing the club
scenes in ‘Promise Me Darkness.’ I could picture Maddie and Ryder dancing close
together, hands all over each other, ignoring everyone but each other as they danced. To
me, this song was full of sexual tension, the same as Maddie and Ryder’s relationship.
Maroon 5 ‘One More Night’
“I want you, Maddie,” he rasped as his lips moved to my neck, leaving wet kisses in its
path. His hands ran down my ribcage to the edge of my t-shirt. “Just one more night." -
Ryder, Promise Me Darkness
Maroon 5’s ‘One More Night’ represents the passion between Maddie and Ryder.
They want each other...but they don’t. Ryder thinks just one more time with Maddie will
be enough. Maddie can’t resist him. Their friendship makes them feel guilty but they
can’t keep their hands off of each other. (Plus, Ryder is covered in tattoos and I like the
part where they sing about ‘stuck on my body like a tattoo.’)
Rihanna ft. Mikky Ekko ‘Stay’
“Do you love him?”
I could only tell her the truth.
“Yeah, I do. But if he doesn’t want a relationship and if doesn't believe in love, where
does that leave me? I can’t just be his plaything.”
This is such a beautiful song. I listened to it over and over while writing. It has so
much emotion. I imagined Maddie hurt, wanting Ryder’s love but watching as he selfdestructed with drinking, girls, and fighting. She was always there, taking care of him
and bandaging up his cuts and bruises. But now she wants more. She wants to be with
him. She wants him to ‘Stay’ with her and never leave her. But more than anything, she
just wants him to love her.
Mumford and Sons ‘I Will Wait’
I didn't include a quote with this song because, well, if you read the book, you
know why.
But I thought this song was appropriate because no matter what happens, no
matter how much the world falls apart, Maddie and Ryder will always be there for each
other. Because that’s what best friends who are in love do; they wait for each other.
Always.
THANK YOU PAIGE FOR THE WONDERFUL PLAYLIST!
MY FAVORITE WOULD HAVE TO BE 'ONE MORE NIGHT' BY MAROON 5
I ALSO LOVE THE QUOTES FOR EACH SONG, I CAN'T WAIT TO READ THIS BOOK!
WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK OF THE PLAYLIST?
MORE ABOUT THE BOOK AND AUTHOR
Promise Me Darkness by Paige Weaver
Series: Promise Me #1
Published: April 2nd 2013
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: New Adult / Contemporary Romance / Dystopian
Synopsis:
A New York Times, USA Today & IndieReader.com Best Seller
"He was my darkness and I was his light. We couldn't exist without each other."
For me, life was simple. I went to school and studied. I spent time with my friends and stayed out of trouble. I didn't drink or swear and I only dated gentlemen. I was the typical good girl with a bright future. My world seemed perfect.
But that was about to change.
Ryder Delaney was the one imperfection in my life. He was the bad boy, the black sheep, the one your mother always warned you about. He had only one hard-and-fast rule - Don't fall in love.
But some rules were meant to be broken.
We were best friends, inseparable since childhood despite our differences. I knew the real man hiding behind the tattoos and bad attitude. He knew all my secrets and dreams. But he didn't know there was one thing I wanted and couldn't have...him.
But sometimes Fate has a way of intervening. Soon our world collapsed. War erupted. Darkness prevailed. Alone and on the run, our only goal was to survive and to ignore the feelings we had for each other. But love is powerful...
and so is the darkness.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Reading has always been my first passion. That turned into a love for writing at a young age. I wrote my first book when I was a teenager and haven't stopped since. "Promise Me Darkness" is the first book I have publicly published.
I'm a native Texan who still lives in the town where I was born. I live with my husband and two children. If I'm not reading or writing, I'm chasing my kids around and trying to maintain my sanity with a teenager and preschooler.
Sometimes, even the best-laid plans can unravel. It's spring break, and Tamara Winters would rather stay on campus and read romance novels than flaunt her size-fourteen body on a beach. But her best friend, Ronni, has other ideas. Against her wishes, Tamara is whisked away to picturesque Maverick Bay, where she's wrangled into waiting tables with Ronni at the Shore Shack for its busy week leading to Maverick's Surf Invitational. There she meets fellow schoolmate Xavier Solomon, the Invitational's organizer and campus womanizer by reputation. From the moment Tamara sees him emerging from the waves like a hero in of one of her romance novels, all she wants to do is run away from the feelings he inspires in her. Little does she know Xavier has been watching her for weeks now. In fact, after failed attempts at asking her out on campus, he's concocted a crazy plan: fabricating romantic situations straight out of her favorite books. Xavier quickly realizes that if Tamara gets a whiff of his designs, he might as well spell CREEPER across his forehead. Yet as they grow closer, he's convinced it's a risk worth taking. What he hasn't planned on, of course, is his drug-addicted, alcoholic stepbrother, who decides to join the fun and put a wrench in Xavier’s scheme. Spring break is proving hotter than Tamara expected. Will her romance novels be able to compete?
About the Author
When Kate Evangelista was told she had a knack for writing stories, she did the next best thing: entered
medical school. After realizing she wasn't going to be the next Doogie Howser, M.D., Kate wandered into
the Literature department of her university and never looked back. Today, she is in possession of a piece
of paper that says to the world she owns a Literature degree. To make matters worse, she took Master's
courses in creative writing. In the end, she realized to be a writer, none of what she had mattered. What
really mattered? Writing. Plain and simple, honest to God, sitting in front of her computer, writing.
Today, she has four completed Young Adult novels.
