Cover Reveal - - Lasting Fate by Charisse Spiers

"Lasting Fate" by: Charisse Spiers Cover Reveal

Lasting Fate Excerpt:

Preston

I pull into the drive and the garage is open. I've told Kinzleigh to keep it shut. It's a nice area, but that doesn't mean we don't get strays from time to time looking for easy access to steal. Kinzleigh's mom should be here soon to help her with the baby for a few days. Maybe she's already here. I could use her help so I can get some work done. I'm swamped with projects and a new baby is more work than I thought. I try to give Kinzleigh a break when I get home.

Pulling under my garage door, I park and kill the engine. I grab my satchel that I take back and forth from the office and step out of my beamer. It's been a long day. I grab the knot of my tie and pull, loosening it. When I get to the door my heart drops to my stomach. It's cracked. My first thought is that someone has broken in. I push it open and walk inside.
I drop my bag at the door and pick up pace when I hear Bryce screaming at the top of his lungs. A fear I've never known races through my body. What if she's hurt? "Kinzleigh," I call out throughout the house. I get no response. When I make it to the living room Bryce is lying in his bassinet screaming and Kinzleigh is lying on the couch staring off into space like a zombie, ignoring him.

His face is blood red like he's been crying for a while. I reach over and pick him up, pulling him to my chest. "Hey, buddy. Shh, shh, shh. It's okay," I say as I rock him. It's not helping. He's obviously hungry or wet. Hell, I don't know. I've never had a baby before and I'm a guy. I would get cranky if I was hungry. Kinzleigh is breast-feeding, so I don't know what I'm supposed to do.

"Kinzleigh, when is the last time you fed him?" I look over at her, still attempting to calm him down. My ears are stinging from his constant crying. I can't think. She has not even acknowledged I'm in the room. "Kinzleigh, what the fuck?" The only type of response I get from her are tears that fall from the corners of her eyes and they trickle down her nose before dropping onto the leather of the sofa.

"I can't," is all she says and goes back to staring off into space. What the hell does that even mean, she can't?

"You can't or you won't? What happened to you? Are you sick?" He is still screaming, so I reach in the bassinet and get his pacifier, hoping it calms him a little until I can figure out what the hell I'm supposed to do now.

"I can't," she says again. She's not even looking at him. I begin walking towards her in an attempt to see what's wrong and get her to feed him. She closes her eyes before I get there. "Please don't. I can't hold him. Please, take him somewhere else. Please..." I don't understand. She was fine when I left for work. I try to give him his pacifier. We don't have any formula, because she wanted to feed him naturally. How does everything change so drastically in twelve hours?

He takes it for a second before he figures out nothing is coming out of it and spits it back out, now mad as hell. I can't deal with this shit right now. I'm worried about her, because she's not acting right, but I have to get him calmed down first. Pulling out my phone from the pocket of my slacks, I hit one of the contacts in my immediate access list. It rings for a minute before the line picks up. "Preston? It's seven thirty and the sitter just left. Do I need to call her back? Is that Bryce? Is he okay?"
Her voice is drowned out by his crying. I walk out of the room with the phone up to my ear. "Hey, Macie. I need your help. It's an emergency. It's about Kinzleigh. You can bring Talon."

"Anything, Preston. Is she okay?"

I peek my head back in the door. She's still lying on the couch in the exact same position she was when I left. She is still staring at the wall blankly, no emotion registering on her face. "I don't think so. I came home and Bryce was screaming in his bassinet. She's just lying on the couch in a vegetative state. She won't hold him. I have no idea when she's fed him last. Can you bring some formula?"

"I think I know what's wrong with her. I'll be right there. Give me fifteen minutes." She doesn't wait for an answer before disconnecting the call. I slide the phone back in my pocket and begin bouncing him slightly while I pat his back. His tiny head is resting against my cheek.

"It's okay, buddy. We'll get your mama fixed, okay? Don't worry. She must have a reason for letting you cry, she has to. You'll love her. She's kind of hard not to love." His cry is dying down, from the exhaustion I'm sure, but not stopping completely. I stand in the doorway watching her. I've never in my entire life seen her like this, not even when her grandmother died. It's like her soul has been sucked from her body, leaving nothing but a hollow woman lying in this big house.

I'm scared to know what that means. I need to talk to Macie. I have a strange feeling I'm losing her. I've never been in love with a girl like I'm in love with Kinzleigh, and I never will be again, but I can't stand seeing her like this. If this is going to be the girl she becomes, then I'll have to make another choice, one that is going to forever destroy me for a woman. I won't trap her. We were happy before he came back. I won't watch her disintegrate and become lifeless to preserve my own happiness.

The realization occurs that if she doesn't get better I may have to let her go. Watching her lay as if she is alive, but dead, is killing me inside. I've never been an emotional guy until I went back to Mississippi that night and saw her the way I did. Something changed in me that night. From that point forward it wasn't about me, but her. I learned that when you love someone, you do what's best for them, even if it isn't what's best for you.

I want to walk over to her right now, but I have to take care of Bryce first. I made a promise to love and take care of both of them. I'm going to keep that promise for as long as I can. Right now I'm scared and I don't know how long I'm going to get to hold onto what has become my family. Just because this child doesn't share my blood, he still shares a piece of my heart. I kiss the top of his head. He finally cried himself to sleep, but he won't be asleep long. Macie should be here soon. I can tell his diaper needs to be changed anyway.

I stare at the girl that captured my heart from the time I was just a teenager. I've really grown into a man from then to now. I rub my thumb back and forth on Bryce's head, above his ear. "I need to leave you for a minute, but I promise I'll come take care of you," I whisper into the air in her direction. "I love you, Kinzleigh." My eyes fill to the brim with tears, but I close my lids before they have the chance to fall. She doesn't have room in her life for someone that can't contain his emotions.

I kiss the top of his head; his baby smell fills my nostrils. "I love you also, buddy." I hold him close to me and begin walking in the direction of the stairs and towards his room. I'm going to savor every moment with the two of them. My brain wants me to believe that I still have them forever, but my heart is preparing me for the worst.

After changing his diaper, I sit in the rocker and start to rock him. Macie walks in with a bottle in hand. She takes one look at me and gets a saddened look in her eyes, more like a look of pity. "You've gotten attached to him, haven't you?"

"Yeah." I am not one of those guys that talk about the emotions fighting against each other deep inside. I prefer to keep to myself. Revealing parts of yourself to others sets you up for gossip and judgment. Coming from a family in the media that was something you didn't do. Kinzleigh is the only person I've ever let in.

"I hope I'm not overstepping any boundaries, because I really like you as a boss and a person, but you know there is only way to fix her, right?" I continue rocking back and forth, staring at the wall before me. I want to know, but at the same time I don't. I'm not sure I want to know the answer, because I think I already do.

"What's that?"

"Preston, you can't fight soul mates. I know you love her, and I really believe she loves you in return, but she's meant for him. His return has changed the rules of the game. Her soul is fighting her, mourning for its other half. A doctor is going to tell you it's postpartum depression, but we both know what's really wrong with her."

I'm getting mad. Things were going great before he came back. I'm not going to be an asshole and say I wish he would've died, because I don't, but she's the only girl I've ever wanted. That should count for something. "So, you think I should just hand her over to him? What kind of a man hands over the only thing he wants in life. I've only ever loved her..."

"I'm saying you should set her free. She made you a promise, and I don't think she's going to break it. Her soul is turning against her, rebelling until she gives it what it wants. As silly as it sounds, I really believe someone can die of a broken heart. Would you rather keep her alive and well or allow her to suffer slowly? If you really love her, prove it, and set her free her from the ropes that bind her. Selflessness, that's the ultimate sacrifice in love."

I look down at the bundle in my arms. I can't let them go yet. I need a little more time. She could still get better. She has to get better. I'm trying to convince myself, but it's not working. Bryce wakes up crying. "Here, give him to me. Talon is watching television in the spare room downstairs. Go tend to her. She needs someone. She looks horrible."

I stand and hand him to her. I watch her sit in the chair, but I can't quit looking at him. "Preston..." I glance up at her. "We'll be fine. I've raised one baby. Go on." I nod and follow instructions, leaving the room. When I get to where Kinzleigh is, she looks worse than she did before. It feels like someone has a hold on my heart and squeezing as hard as they can until it pops.

I get to her and squat down so that I'm at her level. "Kinzleigh," I whisper. Her eyes are void of all life and emotion. She doesn't look at me. It's as if she can't even hear me.
Fuck it. I can't take this anymore.

I slide my arms underneath her and lift her, pulling her against my chest. "I'll do whatever I have to do to fix you, Kinz. I promise." I walk her upstairs and into our bathroom, sitting her on the toilet. She slumps slightly, but holds herself up.

"Lift your arms," I state. She does as I say. I remove her shirt and she lowers them back down. I unclasp her bra and remove that too. She is now sitting in just her underwear. I unbutton my shirt and let it fall to the floor. Grabbing the collar of my undershirt, I pull it over my head and toss it down on the other one, forming a pile.
I work quickly to unfasten my belt and pants, letting them drop to the floor as well. Stepping out of my shoes and pants in unison, I kick them to the side. Wrapping my arms around her waist, I pick her up and she wraps her legs around me, and then lays her head against my chest. I walk over to the large round tub and step in. Reaching forward and down, I turn the nozzle and adjust the settings until the water is warm.

I sit down as the bathtub fills with water. My eyes fill with moisture again, but this time I let them fall. My heart is breaking, shattering is a more appropriate word. The only things at the forefront of my mind are the things Macie said. I hold her wrapped in my arms and silently cry.

My heart is trying to convince my mind that it's wrong, duking it out on what's best for her. I don't want to let her go. I want to love her each and every day for the rest of my life. I want to give her the world, and be her world, but after seeing how she reacted to him at the hotel that day and seeing her when she told him goodbye, and looking at her now, my mind is overpowering my heart. It's clear that what I want and what she wants are two different things.

I could hold onto her if I wanted, but my love for her guilt’s me, and won't let me do this to her. I feel like I'm being gutted at the realization of what I have to do. I'll never be the same after this. I'll never give my heart to another woman. When I do this I'm defying everything I was taught by giving in. I'm sacrificing my happiness for hers. When her and Bryce go, my heart goes with them.

After holding her in the bathtub and trying to convince myself to go back on my decision, I bathed her and gave her some sleeping medicine from the cabinet. I lay her in the bed and pull the covers over her. It doesn't take her long before her eyes begin to roll in the back of her head and her lids close.

Her cell phone on the nightstand starts to ring. I notice it's an unsaved number. Trying not to wake her, I answer the call. "Hello."
The line is silent. "Can I talk to Kinzleigh?"

I look down at her. She is sleeping and looks peaceful for the first time since I got home from work. I'm not waking her. Besides, I'm about to give her over to the bastard anyway; he can let me have a few more hours.
"Now's not a good time," I say.

"Are we really going to play it this way?" He breathes and I walk out of the room, quietly shutting the door. I move far enough away she can't hear me if she wakes.

I need him to stop calling, because what I have to do has to be done in person and I don't need him to worry Kinzleigh until this is done. "She doesn't want to see you, Breyson. Please stop calling." I disconnect the call and throw the phone at the wall, leaving a crack and a now shattered phone.

I run my hands through my hair and rest against the wall, sliding down until I'm sitting on the floor. Leaning my head back I close my eyes.

Meet Charisse Spiers

I developed a passion for reading I never knew I had in November of 2012 when I decided to give eBooks a try. Since then I can't go a day without some form of a book or character running wild through my mind. For almost a year I constantly had a book pulled up on my Kindle app for my iPad. The beauty of self publishing is that you can interact with the authors, which is how I started writing. I never knew I had the creativity to write a novel until I began conversing with another Indie author. If you ever think that Indie authors don't like getting feedback from readers, you are very wrong. I began editing for a fellow author and because she took a leap of faith in me and told me to give writing a shot, I am now an Indie author myself. I cannot tell you how amazing this journey has been. It is hard putting yourself out there for the public eye with all of the reviews that come through, but it's also amazing. I have met some of the most genuine people and people I would consider friends even though I've never met them face to face. I have now published the first two books in the Fate series, Accepted Fate and Twisting Fate and I am starting book three Lasting Fate to be released November 2, 2014. I cannot wait to see where this journey takes me and feel free to interact with me here or on social media. I will respond. :)

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Cover Reveal - - In Distress by Caethes Faron

After the Great Destruction destroyed the world, science is the new god. Geneticists rule, instituting a DNA-based caste system in their effort to restore the human genome.

As a Zed, Will’s a virtual slave who isn’t allowed medical care. A tragic accident has left him crippled, awaiting death. Just before his time is up, Malcolm, an enigmatic Alpha with two different colored eyes sweeps in and buys him. Will becomes part of a family of freaks—other damaged Zeds who should be dead. Life seems ideal until Malcolm makes a request that could change Will’s life.

Malcolm harbors more secrets than his Zeds could imagine. His attraction to Will unravels his carefully cultivated control, and one secret escapes: he craves pain, not just as a sexual release, but as a way to atone for his past. Will may be the one person who can give him what he needs if Malcolm can only allow him into his heart.

As they struggle to build trust, each secret Malcolm reveals threatens their relationship. In the end, their desire for each other may heal both men if they can unlearn the lessons of the past.

 

Caethes Faron is a bisexual, genre-queer writer. Her books are equal opportunity, featuring gay, straight, and bisexual characters. Her bittersweet tales of love and loyalty are just as likely to leave readers in tears as smiles, and her love scenes don't fade to black. She enjoys empowering the powerless and exploring the nature of human relationships, especially in differing power dynamics. All of her books feature adults in adult situations. Foul language, diverse sexual situations, aspects of BDSM, and other things that are sure to offend some people make regular appearances in her novels.

Caethes's writing is influenced by her observations of this imperfect world and the flawed characters who inhabit it. She's lived in seven states and is always looking for the next place to call home with her husband and two dogs. She currently resides in Florida.

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Release Day Blitz - - Chained To You by SK Fordham

Title: Chained To You, Chained Series #2

Author: SK Fordham

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Stella Howard is chained, chained to her past and chained by her present. Dean quests to save Stella, to show her that he loves her and wants to be in her life. But Deans’ own past catches up to him and threatens to destroy all that he now cares about before he has the chance to love freely. Will others cruel intentions stop love from growing? Or will love conquer?

SK Fordham is a wife, mother and nurse. SK grew up in an outer eastern suburb of Melbourne Australia. SK loves handbags, chocolate, dancing and all forms of hot drinks.
SK would love to hear from any fans.

Connect with SK Fordham:

Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.com/e/B00JHW6OCA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sk.fordham.7

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/SK_Fordham

Amazon ~ Amazon UK ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Kobo ~ iTunes

Chained, Chained Series Book 1

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Book Review - - Hard Roads by Lily White

The Synopsis...

This life isn’t one that I chose for myself.

Years spent as a daughter in the Dominion MC left me washed up and struggling to breathe. Life was never flowers and sunshine. It was gravel and dust, the trails of dirt left behind when the brothers tore out, floating up from the ground to hover in front of an angry, red sun.

I could never have imagined that a life sitting at rock bottom could get any worse, but it did.

Life is funny like that.

Just when you think things can’t get any more bleak, a shade is drawn leaving you staggering and blind – lost in a world of heartache and sorrow.

I met J.D. Brooks on the road and he swept me off my feet. Literally. But not in the way you might think.

He was both an angel and a demon.

He was the most vicious storm that ever darkened my life.

He was also my salvation.

Stripped from the hands that always held me back, I was released into a nightmare that would threaten everything I thought I knew about the crap hand I’d been dealt.

I thought I could never hate a man more than the one who stole me from the life I’d known.

And in our time together, he would teach me one important lesson:

That in the end, it doesn’t matter how our paths intersect, because when it comes down to the basic truth of our lives...

...we’re all stuck traveling down hard roads.

 

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The Reviews...

Jaymee's Review

4 Stars

Hard Roads is an MC novel by Lily White and it is a stand alone, if you are looking for something nice please put this book down because it is dark, terrifying, gritty and emotional. Hard Roads is an understatement because the road Holly walks in this novel is more like hell on earth.

Holly might be one of my new favorite female characters because she is tough as nails, not once did she give up even when she knew fighting back would put her life in danger. A few times she played along to try and get out of a situation but if there was an opportunity she would fight for her life. Everything that happens to her is just one nightmare after another, each is worse than the last but she keeps hanging on, never truly giving up. I can't say too much about J.D. without giving out some important plot points but I will say that I loved him, even when he was making terrible choices the reader can tell that he is a good man in a bad situation.

This novel was told through alternating points of view which I believe was vital in order to get the full impact of the story. The reader needs to be inside the minds of both main characters to truly grasp the intensity of each terrible situation. I am a seasoned reader of dark novels but there are some scenes in this book that are definitely nightmare worthy! Lily White is an incredibly talented author, she writes in a detailed way that I could clearly see the horrors that Holly experienced and feel the terror that she felt. This book is action packed, it seems as though every evil of the world was included in this book from rape to torture to drugs, guns and sex trafficking. Underneath all the gory horrors Hard Roads is a romance novel, Holly and J.D. develop a relationship throughout their ordeal and I must say I really, really respected how J.D. treats her toward the end of this story. It really shows his character. The story was more plot driven than focused on their relationship but I loved the dynamic between them and the hot sex was definitely appreciated!

There are a few twists that I was really not expecting, especially at the end! There was a scene with her father that left my jaw hanging open and again it really showed me Holly's strength making me love her even more. One of the reasons I really enjoyed this book was because it is drastically different than most MC books or books where a woman is held captive. Bikers, kidnappers, drug dealers etc are not romanticized in Hard Roads, they are hardcore, violent, extremely dangerous and do not treat their victims with tenderness. The story was so fast paced though it left me feeling a bit disconnected at times, it was hard to fully connect with the characters because there was just so much happening. While I did love both characters I didn't feel as attached to them as I could have been. Overall, this book was an incredible and addictive read that I would highly recommend! 

Storyline: Completely Captivating
Female Characters: Strong
Male Character: Mysterious
Author's writing style: Detailed, Addictive
Plot Twists: Insanity!
Laugh Factor: none
Cry Factor: A Possibility
Steam Factor: A few super hot scenes
Violence: Extreme

 

Melissa's Review...

4.5 Stars

 

Where to begin, where to begin?  Hard Roads is by far one of the darkest, rawest, most emotional reads I have picked up, ever.  Lily White is known as the Queen of Darkness and this book is a prime example of why she totally deserves that title!  I have read MC novels, and yes this falls into that category but it is so much more.  Hard Roads brought pure evil to life. 

 

So here's a quick run down-  Holly is the daughter of Joker.  He is the president of the Dominion MC but ever since his wife, The Saint, died he has lost his mind and started making really, really bad decisions.  His bad decisions put Holly in danger.  This is where JD comes into play.  JD runs with another MC and is working to pay off a debt.  His last mission is to kidnap Holly and deliver her to his president, Big John.  Upon Holly's delivery, his debt will be considered paid in full and JD will be free to move on with his life only nothing ever works out the way its supposed to... Now, throw in some seriously deranged drug lords with a penchant for torture and rape, some sex trafficking, more torture, hot sex and an amazing story line and you have Lily White's newest baby, Hard Roads. 

 

Lily's attention to detail adds so much to this already fascinating storyline and she paints such a graphic picture with her words.   She gave her readers such strong characters to feel for and fall in love with.  Holly is so amazing through the whole story.  The hell she endured left me heartbroken but watching her rise above and put herself back together was amazing.  JD, well he was a tough call at the beginning.  I was so angry with him but he slowly redeemed himself and by the end of the book I was totally in love!  Although it is a far cry from hearts and butterflies, Holly and JD's relationship was beautiful.  His efforts to bring her back from the shell of the person she was shows just how precious she was to him.  The ending of this book was absolutely perfect, heart wrenching but perfect.  I could not have thought of a better way for Lily to end it.

 

I am obsessed with Lily White.  Not in like a weird way or anything..lol.  I know that it is probably unhealthy but I can't get enough.  She is dark, her thoughts scare me and make me question myself but I an captivated by her work.  She has a way of pushing me way beyond my comfort zone while still keeping me intact.  Thank you for being so dark and not being ashamed for sharing it with us!!

 

Storyline: Haunting
Female Characters: Tough
Male Character: Well Developed
Author's writing style: Dark, Amazing!
Plot Twists: There are not enough words!
Laugh Factor: none
Cry Factor: Maybe
Steam Factor: Holly and JD, oh my!!
Violence: WARNING!!

   

 

Buy Links...

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About Lily White...

 

Lily White is a dark writer who likes to dabble on the taboo side of eroticism. Most of the time she can be found wandering around aimlessly while her mind is stuck in some twisted power play between two characters in her head. You may recognize her in public by the confused expression, random mumbling, and occasional giggle while thinking up a scene. Lily's favorite things in life are reading, thinking about reading, buying books for reading....and writing. Her other secret pleasure is meeting with her plot editor in public to discuss her books and watching the shocked expressions of the people around her that don't realize she's talking about a book. When Lily is not reading, writing, wandering or freaking out innocent bystanders, she's sleeping.

Cover Reveal - - Branded (Strand Brothers #1) by Lora Ann

Some choices are simple, some are hard, and some leave a brand.

One unforgettable night at a masquerade changes it all.

Mogul Nik Strand is all too familiar with the curve balls life likes to throw. Believing his soul can never be restored, he covers his pain and heartbreak with money. The more the better—as his heart is nothing but ice. 

Aimee Taylor makes a decision that will haunt her forever. Unfortunately life doesn’t come with a do over; therefore, she makes the best out of what she has.

An unforeseen circumstance brings these two together again, even though, neither can explain how or why the other seems so familiar. As love tries to heal this wounded couple, a common adversary seeks to destroy. 

Please note: This book has strong language, violence, and sexual content. Not intended for readers under the age of 18.

   

He only nodded, deep in thought. “I can help you,” he declared.



I was not expecting that. Honestly, I was growing skeptical. What if he offered to hire me? Yes, I was more than attracted to him, but I was no longer hiring myself out. That chapter of my life was over—the end. “How, exactly?”



Again with the half-smile—Dear Lord—he replied, “Marry me.”



“Excuse me? Look, this is the twenty-first century. A woman doesn’t get married because some asshole threatens her. Come on! That’s just absurd.”



Well, that did it. Now he was furious. He stood up so fast I thought he was going to knock over the sofa and me with it. Then he began to pace while he growled, “I’m fully aware of the century, Aimee. The point is, that ‘asshole’ can wreak havoc on your life like you’ve never seen. You cannot ignore him and hope he’ll go away. You need protection, and I can provide it. It’s really that simple,” he apprised.



Now I was angry. “First off, don’t talk down to me. I’m not a child. I’m obviously aware he can ruin my life. That was why I had agreed to stay with him in the first place. I have plenty of money to hire my own protection. I damned sure don’t need your help, Mr. Strand.”



He grabbed my upper arms. “Yes, Ms. Taylor, you do need me.”



“You know what…Piss off!” I broke free of his grasp and marched over to the elevator to push the call button. The door opened immediately.



I heard Nik bellow, “Aimee. Get your ass back in here, now!”



As the doors slid closed, I flipped him off. Just who did that man think he was? I would figure this out myself. I was sick and tired of these powerful, commanding men telling me what to do with my life. They could all go to hell.

Lora is a Missouri native who relocated to California as a teen. She spent several years as an international flight attendant for a major airline, before taking on her greatest job ever, a stay-at-home mom. Now she resides in Kentucky with her family, and has taken on her newest adventure, writing.

 

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