For the last year, Jay Warren has struggled to find the nerve to tell his wife he’s gay. He’s ashamed of hiding it all this time and he doesn’t want to hurt her, so every time he gets the chance to tell her, he freezes up. The guilt has been almost unbearable, but when his wife dies suddenly, Jay’s conscience threatens to eat him alive.
Funeral director Scott Lawson deals with the bereaved every day of his life, and he’s also all too familiar with the inside of the closet. He offers Jay some much-needed compassion and understanding, and from that connection comes a friendship that quickly—perhaps too quickly—turns into something more.
But are grief, guilt, and loneliness the only things tying them together? Or will Scott get tired of being used as an emotional crutch before Jay realizes what he has?
A.J.'s Angel is a finalist in Contemporary Romance.
Reconstructing Meredith is a finalist in Erotica.
Now I'll just bite my nails for the next six months until the winners are announced - LOL!
Want to play along? It’s fun and easy!
When the screen lit up, I had three texts, a missed call, and a voice message.
The texts were all, as I expected them to be, from Scott. First, a reply to the last message I’d sent when we’d been texting back and forth during lunch: I love you, too. See you tonight. A few minutes later, he’d added, I’ll pick up something for dinner on my way home. And about fifteen minutes ago, right about the time he was probably getting home: I can’t be held responsible if the cats are dead when you get here.
"I definitely encourage those that love the BDSM genre to read both books as they are unique in the imagery and characters journey through not only the good things in the BDSM world, but those that have seen dark side, and the authors ability to carry the reader to a satisfying ending."The review is here.
Stay tuned for more snippets next Wednesday!“A high back?” Claudia snorted. “Why would you need a high-backed dress? You have a beautiful figure—”
“You bitch,” Sharon interjected with a laugh.
“Yeah, no kidding,” Claudia said. “If I had a body like yours, I’d be showing off as much as I could, especially at my wedding.”
My cheeks burned. “Thanks,” I said softly. “I guess I just kind of like some of the old-fashioned styles.”
“Prude,” Claudia said, elbowing me gently.
I just laughed, and the three of us kept walking. The truth was, I adored the plunging backs and spaghetti strap style dresses that were in fashion these days. And Scott had always had a thing for anything that showed off shoulders and collarbones.
Only a handful of people in my life knew the real reason I wanted my back covered when I walked down the aisle. Close as I was to them, I’d never told Claudia or Sharon about the scars that slashed ugly, irregular lines across my back from my shoulders down. Even if I wore my hair down, which would hide my skin well past my shoulder blades, I’d spend the whole time wondering if someone could see them. Or being afraid I’d turn my head and pull my hair out of the way so everyone could see. I’d already had a few of the worst scars removed, or at least minimized, and had two more minor surgeries between now and the wedding, but there was no hiding the fact that something had happened to my back. Something I didn’t care to relive or rehash at my wedding. Or ever again, if I could help it. Those days were behind me where they belonged.
“Scott, I need your help.”
Five words from a woman he hasn’t seen in five years, and Scott Moore’s world is thrown off its axis. Ex-girlfriend Meredith has resurfaced with a past full of horrific abuse at the hands of a man who called himself a Dom, and she has the scars to prove it. Now she needs Scott’s help to reclaim her sexuality and put the past behind her.
Scott is more than willing to help, but he has no idea the toll it will take on him, not to mention his other polyamourous relationships. What’s more, while Scott and Meredith face down her demons, their own past won’t be forgotten. Neither will Scott’s feelings for Meredith…
Author's Note: This book contains references to sexual and psychological abuse that some readers may find objectionable. Please use your discretion.
From the review:"I’m not sure which two books I’m going to have to kick out of my top ten list in order to fit these [Light Switch & Reconstructing Meredith] in, but they’re up near the top."The entire review is here.
"Two great main characters of Scott and Meredith with good side characters of Krissy and Matt. The story was brilliantly told from both sides and allowed us to really immerse ourselves in Scott and Meredith’s lives."Definitely a great review day!
Blurb:Alex Nichols desperately wants the implant removed, but getting it out isn’t nearly as easy as putting it in. The surgery is expensive and dangerous. Left in, the implant carries its own set of risks, with the potential to cripple or even kill him. On top of that, he’s carefully kept his identity a secret from more people in his life than just Damon, and his parents aren’t the only ones appalled by shifters.
Stripped of half his identity and facing serious physical effects and social ramifications, Alex needs Damon more than ever, but he doesn’t see how their relationship can get through this unscathed.
Especially if Alex is a static male permanently.
***
This will be my first foray into the realms of urban fantasy. It's not nearly as dirty as my usual stuff, either. Keep an eye on my blogs for more info!
“Scott, I need your help.”
Five words from a woman he hasn’t seen in five years, and Scott Moore’s world is thrown off its axis. Ex-girlfriend Meredith has resurfaced with a past full of horrific abuse at the hands of a man who called himself a Dom, and she has the scars to prove it. Now she needs Scott’s help to reclaim her sexuality and put the past behind her.
Scott is more than willing to help, but he has no idea the toll it will take on him, not to mention his other polyamourous relationships. What’s more, while Scott and Meredith face down her demons, their own past won’t be forgotten. Neither will Scott’s feelings for Meredith…
AUTHOR’S NOTE: This book contains references to traumatic physical and sexual abuse, including rape and imprisonment, and the psychological effects thereof. While the abuse is not shown, it is discussed and may be upsetting to some readers. Please use your discretion.
Currently available at Carnal Passions, AllRomance, and Bookstrand. More links to be added as they're available.
The book will be out March 9 - I can't wait!
Also, for those of you who enjoyed the book, Scott Moore & Co. will be back in early March in the sequel, Reconstructing Meredith. Cover art and links coming soon.
