Raven’s Undoing ~ Unedited Excerpt ~ Why all the secrets?

“What are you thinking Raven?”

I slightly startle at Grant’s prodding question. I’m thinking lots of things. How much time do we have? “Where do we go from here?” That thought actually just popped into my mind; wasn’t thinking that until right now.

“I don’t know,” is all he says.

I give him a little bit to see if he is going to say anything else after that but he doesn’t. I slowly pull myself out of his embrace and turn onto my side facing him. Maybe looking at him will prompt him to elaborate. He gives me a blank look. I can tell that he really doesn’t know. I don’t even know my own self.

“I can’t stay here,” he finally says.

My heart fills with disappointment, although I should have seen that one coming. “Why?” Why am I even asking him why?

“I just can’t.”

I am overcome with hurt. Why is he shutting me out like this? Why can’t he just tell me? I feel my eyes start to sting with tears.

Grant reaches over and delicately wipes away a tear with the pad of his thumb. “Oh Sweetheart, please don’t cry.”

Sweetheart. Hearing him say that makes me swoon and cry even harder, both at the same time. “I don’t understand why you can’t tell me. Now that I think of it, I don’t even know where you’re going off to when you do leave. You come back because you can’t stay away from me and you love me, but you want to leave again?” My crying turns into a full blown sob.

Grant scoots close to me and pulls me down onto his chest, wrapping his arms around me. “No, it’s not like that. I don’t want to leave again.”

“Then don’t. I don’t understand any of this. Why can’t you just tell me? Why all the secrets?” I am trying so hard to stop crying. I can’t believe how emotional I am right now. “And what about what just happened? Does that mean anything to you? Did you mean what you said? Do you really love me?”

Copyright ©2015 –ND White

Raven’s Undoing ~ Unedited Excerpt ~ What am I doing…

Okay, you can do this. I’m giving myself a mental pep talk as I make my way for the big double sliding glass doors of the hotel. I enter the lobby, which is completely vacant except for the older gentleman standing behind the counter with a smile plastered on his face. I nod at him in acknowledgement as I swing a right and head for the first set of elevators doors.

My palms start sweating and my stomach starts churning as the elevator takes its sweet time ascending up to the fourteenth floor. For a split second I consider hitting the ground floor button when it finally stops and the doors open. I step out of the elevator, turn to my left, and slowly start walking down the hall looking for room 1424. My feet feel like they are made of lead. My legs do not want to keep pulling me forward. I can’t believe he is having this effect on me and I haven’t even laid eyes on him yet. I’m supposed to be pissed at him too, for that matter.

Stopping directly in front of his room I take a deep breath before lightly knocking on the door. I hear shuffling inside before the door swings open and Grant is standing there, his turquoise eyes piercing right through me, looking all sexified. As I stand there gazing up at him, I think I have forgotten my own name, or where I’m at, or how to even speak. Grant steps aside motioning for me to enter the room without saying one word to me.

I hear the door close behind me as I sit my purse on a desk table. I begin to take off my coat, but Grant is behind me in an instant helping slip it off my shoulders. “Here, let me hang this up for you,” he sternly whispers. I turn around and watch him put my coat in the closet. I notice that he is barefoot. He looks as if he has just stepped out of the shower actually. He’s wearing a pair of dark blue jeans and a loose fitting dark gray t-shirt; his hair damp. He turns and looks at me, his face expressionless. I’m suddenly feeling very uncomfortable.

Copyright ©2015 –ND White

Raven’s Undoing ~ Unedited Excerpt ~ A Stόr

“Hey sleepy head…” I hear a faint whisper and a hand gently sweep across my cheek. My eyes flutter open and I find him standing in front of me.

“Oh my goodness, did I fall asleep? I’m so sorry!” I quickly straighten myself up trying to gain my composure.

He lets out a chuckle and sits down next to me on the sofa. He takes hold of my legs, lifts them up, and then pulls them across his lap. I turn my body along with him. I feel so embarrassed. “There’s nothing to be sorry for. I just came in here and found you sitting there with your eyes closed. You didn’t move a muscle when I approached you, so I think you might have. Are you feeling okay?”

“Yeah, I’m great. Just really tired though.” More like exhausted… “The skating and falling over and over again must have taken a lot out of me. And I am so sore, especially my feet and rear end.” I cover my mouth as I yawn. Dang, I just want to curl up and go back to sleep…

“Well, I might be able to help with your feet at least.” His charming grin is infectious and I can’t help but smile back. He carefully unzips both of my knee high black boots, slides them off my feet and sits them down on the floor. Then he takes hold of one of my feet and gently starts messaging it. I let out a soft moan as my head relaxes back against the sofa. Usually I would protest someone touching my feet, but right now, this feels heavenly.

“Oh , this feels amazing. Thank you.” I think that came out sounding a little sultrier than I intended it too.

“It’s my pleasure, A Stόr.”

“Mmmm, that’s the second time you’ve said that to me. What does it mean?” I tilt my head to the side giving him an inquisitive look.

“A Stόr is Gaelic and it’s a term of endearment used to mean darling, or sometimes treasure.” He stops massaging one foot and then starts in on the next one. “And you Raven, to me, are both.”

Awww. I can’t believe he just said that to me. I look at him, stunned. I am almost at a loss for words. He is one of the kindest men I think I have ever met. “That is one of the sweetest things anyone has ever said to me.”

“Well, it’s true.” He keeps messaging my foot but looks away, his cheeks flushed.

We sit in silence for a few minutes listening to the crackling of the fire while I’m getting lost in this amazing foot message.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Yes.” He stops messaging my feet as I pull my legs from his lap and scoot in closer until I’m just inches from his face.

“I’ve had the best time with you tonight. It has been so much fun. I really don’t want this night to end.”

He smiles. “Neither do I.” Slowly he leans in, closing the space between us, softly brushing his lips against mine…

Copyright ©2015 –ND White

Scrupulous by Kristina Canady ~ Coming Soon!

Official Cover
Title: Scrupulous
An Affliction of Falling Novel
Author: Kristina Canady

Book to be released August 1, Pre-Order Available now!

Gavin Banner with preorder

PRE_ORDER SALE LINK: This book will have a pre order sale for only $1.99!

Author Links:
Twitter @KristinaCanady
http://www.KristinaCanady.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/midnightbloompart1
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7103526.Kristina_Canady
Model Link
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chisel-Chase-Bergner/396451957214098?fref=ts
Cover Design Team:
https://www.facebook.com/SassyQueens?fref=ts

Photographer:
https://www.facebook.com/ericbattershellphotography?fref=ts
https://www.facebook.com/EricBattershell?fref=ts

sorchateaser

Gavinteaser
Book Blurb:
Sorcha
Some men just can’t accept that a woman can be perfectly content without them. I mean, come on; a girl can get laid anytime she wants, it’s not like it’s hard. And lord knows, I have no interest in a relationship, there is no time for that drama-filled nonsense. Pursuing my passion in life is all that I have time for. Selfish and short sighted? Perhaps, but I know what I want out of life and have no problem going after it. Life is a string of decisions, constructed and manifested by us. I own mine and don’t apologize for it either.
Gavin
Defined by my past, I hadn’t ever considered love as an option for someone like me. That is, until I spotted that sweet little brunette from across the crowded room. It was magnetic, and as much as she tried to resist, I was going to have her. Come heaven or high water, she would be mine.

Raven’s Undoing ~ Unedited Excerpt ~ I’ll be there to catch you…

“Thank you for the roses,” I finally say. “That was so thoughtful of you and they truly are beautiful.”

“You’re most welcome. And as beautiful as they may be, they don’t even come close to comparison to you.”

Oh wow, did he just say that? I feel my face ignite yet again. I divert my attention to the floor. I am flattered and embarrassed by his genuine charm. “Thank You.”

“Are you ready to go?” He reaches out and brushes my arm with his hand.

“I am. Just let me grab my coat. Where are we going by the way?” I assume I’m dressed appropriately for whatever he has planned.

A huge grin spreads across Asher’s face. “Do you like to ice skate?”

Omg, seriously? I haven’t been ice skating in years. I gulp as my eyes damn near pop out of my head. “I love it! I haven’t done it in years, but I think it sounds like a lot of fun.” I let out a nervous laugh. “I hope I don’t break anything!”

“You won’t. I’ll be there to catch you if you fall.” His face softens and I see the sincerity in his eyes reflecting what he just said.

Copyright ©2015 –ND White

All Who Are Lost, by Lindsey Forrest!

Sale-AllWhoAreLost

 

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000039_00027]

 

Title: All Who Are Lost

Series: Ashmore’s Folly, Book 1

Author: Lindsey Forrest

Genre(s): adult contemporary fiction, women’s literature, romance

To celebrate the upcoming release of All That Lies Broken, Book 2 in her Ashmore’s Folly series, author Lindsey Forrest has put book #1, All Who Are Lost, on sale at an absolutely unbelievable price! This is a reading experience that should NOT be missed! The sale begins Monday, June 15th and will end on June 30th. See what you’ve been missing!

Synopsis

Three women.

Three sisters growing up in the shadow of their father’s obsessive drive to recapture his lost muse, the woman he threw into the cold Irish sea.

One man.

The scion of a great family estate in Virginia, falling in love with the wrong sister, blind to the ice at her core.

Too many betrayals.

A girl, rejected and ignored by the man she loved, choosing to walk away forever.

A man living a life of regret and sacrifice, trying to atone for a New Year’s Eve kiss that wrecked his marriage.

A fragile wife, lost in her own lies, unable to halt the devastation she set in motion with one vicious lie.

A woman haunted by a moment of blood and violence, when she reached out and took a man who didn’t belong to her.

One last chance.

On a clear summer day, Laura St. Bride’s life changes in smoke and flame. Even as the fires of grief rage on, a man reaches out from the past and tells her to come home.

Can she truly go home again?
Can sisters, bred to be bitter rivals from birth, learn to forgive the sins of the past?
Can a family, once smashed apart, find peace and rebirth?

What do you do
when the love of your life
is the last person you should love?

Can a man and a woman cast aside the violence of their past
and reach out for the last love of their lives?


 photo goodreads-badge-add-plus_zpsuxyvsnib.png

Excerpt

In his life, Richard Ashmore had made three mistakes with women. Not that three was so unusual; no man reached his thirties without suffering the particular pain that women could inflict and without inflicting it in return. He was luckier than most men, perhaps, for he had erred early and grievously, and caution had been driven into him like a bullet. He carried with him permanent reminders of his follies: a marriage gone disastrously wrong, the painful conscience that he had not always been the upright man his daughter loved, a shoulder that ached in cold weather.

Ah, Diana, unattainable once attained, a monumental mistake made in all the first flush of adolescent desire and pride. Too young to marry, too blindly in love to recognize the ice behind her eyes, he had turned a deaf ear to his father’s warning that his princess was hollow at her core.

Francie, silver-quick smile and hungry eyes, and his own need for the warmth of a woman’s arms. The dangerous combination of a magnum of champagne on New Year’s Eve and three years of exile from his marriage bed had erupted into a springtime of madness. The gods had demanded their due: a marriage wrecked beyond salvage, a family foundered, two young women cast adrift.

And the third…. Oh, but even now, all these years later, he stood before her picture, and he still did not understand. She watched him from the poster, more animated in flat gray and white than he had ever known her. But he knew those eyes. He knew how they adored him, how they burned in fever and desire, how they haunted odd moments of the day and dark pockets of the night.

Diana. Francie. Laura the Cat.

He supposed he had a special weakness for shuttered eyes that invited a man in with promises implied and unkept, for wild autumn hair spread gloriously across a pillow, for tall, elegant figures and clear, sweet voices and beguiling, destructive ways. They all three had this and more in common, and why not? They were sisters, after all.

I know you’re out there somewhere….

She stared out across a crowded London square, unknowing, unseeing, the serenity of her face captured in the flat surface of the theatrical poster. The light noon rain ran down in small diagonal rivers across her, crinkling the smooth plain of her forehead and the gentle cut of her jaw. She wept, large, abandoned tears that warred with the lovely turn of her mouth.

The Great Cat, they called her.

Many of those who had come to Leicester Square, hunting for half-price theater tickets, gravitated to her, beckoned by her eyes, lured on by the legend of mist and mystery that surrounded her. A few balked at the price of “An Intimate Evening with Cat Courtney.” Others realized to their sorrow that they had conflicting tickets, meals planned with in-laws, flights to catch. Three nights only, announced the poster, and this, unfortunately, was the last night.

She smiled out at them all, oblivious to their concerns, uncaring of the rain wetting her face.

The American tourist who came walking into the square, his daughter by his side, did not notice her at first. The rain had stopped for a few minutes, and other matters engaged him: folding up a handy umbrella, glancing at his watch, reading a guide book over his daughter’s shoulder. For one minute longer, he remained merely a tourist on a much-needed vacation. For one minute longer, the Great Cat never crossed his mind.

But the Great Cat could wait, and for this man she would wait forever.

She had left him a decade before, both of them reeling from the blood of their folly, in a deserted cottage on a desolate shore on the other side of the world. Had she eyes to see, she would know him instantly.

Eventually, respite ended. Eventually, Richard Ashmore lifted his head, his eyes scanning across the theatrical posters, in search of an evening’s entertainment suitable for a young girl. The titles made little impression – Les Miserables, The Graduate, Noises Off – until he saw her and everything around her blurred into oblivion.

He knew her too, instantly.

Laura.

His worst mistake.

Buying Link

amazon.com

About the Author

Lindsey_Forrest

Lindsey Forrest, a lead writer/editor for an international information company, writes about income tax but prefers to dream of heroes and heroines and grand romance. With the publication of her trilogy, she checks off the top entry on her bucket list. She lives in north Texas with her family and cat and has a five-year plan for becoming a full-time novelist and editor of indie fiction. When she isn’t working or writing, she amuses herself with reading, needlepointing, tramping around historical sites and houses, and outbidding everyone who gets in her way on Ebay.

Visit Lindsey’s web site at www.lindseyforrest.com. You can also learn more about the Ashmore’s Folly Trilogy at www.ashmoresfolly.com.

Social Media Links

Facebook Twitter

5-Star Amazon Reviews…

“I read the reviews for this book and expected a good read but nothing prepared me for the intensity of emotions that the author brought to life in this deeply rooted saga.
With the stories of three families intertwined we see how one person’s hope is another’s hate. How one person’s loss is another’s passion and how life creates good and bad moments in the blink of an eye. This is a haunting read and the author draws you in to the lives of the characters while adding layer after layer of family dreams, hopes, desires and despair. Prepare to feel the joy as well as the agony of characters throughout this read. The story is solidly written and leaves you wanting more so I’m glad this is just the first book and can hardly wait for what may be coming next…”

“WOW!!!! I just finished “All Who Are Lost” by Lindsey Forrest. I LOVED it! I am an avid reader, but this is not my usual genre. Or SO I THOUGHT! This book spans multiple genre’s ( romance, drama, mystery & intrigue, and even historical)! There are so many twists and turns to the story, and so many individual stories with twists and turns it literally made my head spin and I had a hard time putting it down.It is the 1st of a trilogy, and I can not wait for book 2! I think this is a Hallmark mini series prospect! I absolutely highly recommend this book!”

Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Raven’s Undoing ~ Unedited Excerpt ~ You’re Sorry?!

Grant slowly releases me as I turn to face him. His eyebrows are drawn together and he has a confused look on his face. I can tell that he is waiting for me to react to Kat’s accusation, but I don’t know what to say, because she’s right. We stand there looking into each other’s eyes; neither one of us knowing what to say or who should go first.

“How about we go sit down,” he finally suggests. I nod and turn to leave the bathroom, Grant stays close behind. I make my way to my bed and sit down on the edge of it. He stands for a moment hesitating, and I motion with my eyes for him to sit down beside me.

“You’re really here.” My voice is shaky. I’m trying not to cry, again.

“Yes, Raven, I’m really here.” He smiles but it doesn’t reach his eyes.

“Why?” I ask.

“I needed to see you.”

“But why? Why now?”

“I needed to see you. I needed to make sure that you’re okay.” Grant’s face is full of concern and remorse.

“Do I look okay to you?” He flinches at my hateful tone.

“I’m sorry Raven.” Grant drops his head.

You’re sorry?” I suddenly feel pissed off. “Do you have any idea what I’ve been through these past few weeks?” I feel myself being swallowed by a fit of rage.

“No, I don’t…and yes, I’m sorry…” Grant is stammering over his words. He clearly doesn’t know what to say or do.

“How could you do that! How could you up and leave like that without saying anything! Do I mean so little to you! Fuck!” I struggle to wipe the tears that are now streaming once again down my cheeks. I am angry at myself for looking so weak and vulnerable. I don’t want him to see me like this. I have cried enough tears for this man.

“Raven please…” Grant scoots in closer to me. He looks as if he wants to reach out and touch me but isn’t sure if he should. Instead he keeps his hands in his lap. His face is filled with desperation.

“Please what!” I bite. “What in the hell do you want from me!”

Copyright ©2015 –ND White

Raven’s Undoing ~ Unedited Excerpt ~ The Phone Call

My hand is shaking as I swipe the screen of my phone. I don’t recognize my own voice when I say hello. It’s a quivering a whisper.

“Raven…” Hearing Grant’s voice, saying my name like he does, rocks me to the core. My legs almost give out from under me. I have to sit down. I practically stumble right into the end of my bed before catching myself with my free hand. “Raven, are you there?” he asks.

I don’t know, am I? “Yes, I’m here” I stutter as I try to make myself comfortable on my bed. I hear him breathing on the other end, unsure of what to say next, hoping he takes the initiative to start this conversation.

“Thank you for picking up,” he finally says.

“Did I really have choice?” I bite back. Jeesh, where did that come? I hear him take in a deep breath and then slowly exhale.

“Actually, you did Sweetheart. I told you so in the note I left for you.”

Sweetheart…wait, what a condescending Ass! You’re mad Raven. Stay mad! “According to your note Grant, no matter which choice I made, it was still going to result in me having this conversation with you.”

“Yes, you are correct. Although, I admit that I was hoping you would have chosen to not take my call so that I would have been forced to come back to your apartment and see you.” I hear him smirking and something about this statement makes my blood boil.

“Why in the hell would I want to see you after what you did to me!” I snap. Don’t cry Raven. Stay mad.

“That’s fair. I deserve that.” His tone has softened, but it’s not softening me. I feel my anger igniting.

“That’s not all you deserve,” I coldly respond. My eyes are starting to burn from fighting off the tears that are threatening to escape. My whole body is beginning to shake and I slowly rock back and forth on my bed to try and comfort myself and keep myself together. I’m being flooded with emotions that are fighting each other for control. “What do you want Grant?” That is exactly what I want to know right now.

“I wanted to talk to you.” He pauses but I say nothing. “I have been worried about you and I needed to make sure that you were okay.”

Okay?” I sarcastically repeat. “You wanted to make sure that I’m okay?” My voice is rising along with my temper.

“Yes, like I said, I’ve been worried about you,” he cautiously answers.

And that right there makes something inside me break. “You’ve been worried? If you were so worried, why has it taken you three fucking weeks to call me!” He starts to say something but I cut him off. “You weren’t so worried about me the day you up and disappeared without so much as giving me a fucking good-bye!” I’m screaming. Bile is rising in my throat and I’m doing all I can to choke it back down.

“Raven, please. Calm down, and hear me out.”

“Calm down?” Oh hell no… “How in the hell do you expect me to calm down after what you did! You have no idea what this did to me! What I’ve been through!” Hot tears are now streaming down my cheeks. I don’t even remember getting up off the bed, but now I find myself pacing my bedroom floor.

“Raven…I…”

“Don’t you dare! Don’t you fucking dare tell me how sorry you are right now.” I am enraged.

“Sweetheart, please…”

“And don’t fucking call me Sweetheart!” I whip around and find Kat standing in the doorway of my bedroom. I didn’t even notice her coming in…

Copyright ©2015 –ND White

Raven’s Undoing ~ Unedited Excerpt ~ The Letter

I flip through all 300 hundred channels and find nothing on at all that I care to watch, so I start over again in hopes that something has magically changed on the guide in the past two minutes; still nothing. What a waste, I determine. “And I’m so comfortable too,” I say out loud to myself as I get up off the sofa to search for my Kindle. Guess I’ll do some reading instead. I lead such an exciting life.

Something captures my attention out of the corner of my eye as I’m walking through the living room. There’s a white envelope on the floor, just in front of the door. I’m surprised by this because it would have taken some work to slide that under the door; and how did I miss that when it was happening? Maybe someone shoved it under there when the music was up and I just didn’t hear it. Hmmm, how long has that been there?

I slowly tiptoe over the envelope and carefully pick it up, like it’s going to bite. I turn it over and see ‘Raven’ handwritten in black marker across the front of it. What in the hell is this? I start to develop a strong feeling of dread as I head towards the kitchen cabinet to dig in the drawer for the letter opener.

Carefully I slice open the top of the envelope and pull out a letter that has been typewritten. I quickly skip to the end to see who it’s from before reading it. No Fucking Way…

Copyright ©2015 –ND White

Raven’s Undoing ~ Unedited Excerpt ~ Conflicted

As he’s leaving my bedroom, I flop my head back down on my pillow and sigh. I immediately notice that Asher’s cologne is intertwined within my bed sheets and the pillow he was laying on. I take in a slow deep breath and exhale slowly. Damn that smells soooo good. I won’t be washing these for a while. Someone slap me quick! Why am I even having thoughts like this? What is wrong with me! I am not interested in Asher Hammond. I am in love with Grant Alexander.

That thought instantly causes pain to rip through my heart as I think about Grant and how his leaving has affected me. He doesn’t deserve my love. Obviously I don’t mean a damn thing to him, or he’d still be here. I huff, out loud as I feel tears pooling in my eyes. And I’m so damn sick of wasting my tears on him too.

Not wanting to gravel in self pity any longer, I get up out of bed and head into the bathroom for a nice warm shower. Hopefully that will help clear my head and lighten my heart. I feel my stomach starting to growl and I am suddenly aware of just how hungry I really am. I am starving! Better make this a quick shower. Besides, I wouldn’t want to keep Asher waiting. The faster I shower, the faster Asher will be back in here with breakfast in my bed.

Raven! I shake my head in reaction to my own inappropriate thoughts as I step into the shower and let the warm water wash over me.

Copyright ©2015 –ND White