30 November 2017

Product Review:: Disposable Placemats by Baby Phd - Baby Placemat - Taple Top Mats for Children - Extra Sticky Adhesive Peel and Stick Strips - 60 Count (3 Packs of 20) - 3 Separate Educational Designs

I was given the opportunity to review the disposable placemats. This placemat is an awesome idea for the little ones at the dinner table. These mats are educational so that during dinner they keep busy with learning numbers, ABC's, and colors. I highly recommend these mats for little ones as a way to begin learning and making it fun.

About the product
  • THREE EDUCATIONAL DESIGNS (NEW AS OF JULY 2017)- Use these mats as not only an opportunity to entertain to your child but to educate them on colors, numbers, and their alphabet!
  • FOUR SIDED STICKY STRIPS – Never worry about this disposable baby placemat staying in place. 4 sticky strips ensure the children's placemat stays where you want it until your child is finished!
  • LARGE & INDIVIDUALLY FOLDED - (NEW AS OF JULY 2017) - The 12" X 18" individually folded disposable placemats make it easy to pull out just one of the 12" x 18" table toppers out of the bag at a time!
  • SAFETY FIRST: Our products are safe against harms of Lead and Phthalates (CPSIA compliant). These placemats are BPA free.
  • DISPOSABLE PLACEMATS: Our Let's Learn Series baby placemats are made from biodegradable and eco-friendly materials.

29 November 2017

I Like Writing:: Emma's POV

A week later I am coming out of a meeting when I spot Eric in the lobby. I havent spoken to him since high school. He came to Jacob's defense right before I left. He told me a little about that night. He wanted to apologize for encouraging Jacob to drink so much. He took the blame for everything. He's always been a good friend of Jacob's and I am thankful he had someone to help him when he was learning to be a dad. 
I smile as we make eye contact. I am guessing he's here to defend his best friend again. He stands from his seat and comes over to me. "Boy am I glad to see you. I wasnt sure where to find you and my good looks didnt work with the receptionist." He laughs. "Can we have lunch?" His eyebrows shoot up as he asks the question. 
"Sure, come with me to my hole in the wall first so I can get my purse." He follows me to the elevator. We go up to the fifth floor and to my little space. I am kinda nervous not making him wait in the lobby, I am giving him more answers to give to Jacob. He'll know exactly where to find me if he chooses. I have a text and a voicemail, both from Stephen. He wants to me to come over tonight, his meetings are running long and no time to chat until then. Eric acts like he couldnt hear the voicemail as it played but I can tell he heard. 
"So lunch huh?" I finally break the ice.
"Yea, long over due don't ya think?" He's always been easy going, funny, and loyal to a fault. 
We cross the street to the deli and get a table. 
"Ok, sooo we haven't had a chat in 5 years, I have a yelling match with Jake last week and you show up again. What's up?" I begin eating my sandwich. I know he's going to make me lose my appetite, I need to eat before that happens. I have at least 6 more hours at work. 
"The lawyer, that serious?" What is up with their obsession with Stephen? I dated casually all through college, where were they then? 
"Yea you could say that. We've been dating almost a year, since I got the job. Jacob send you? Is he okay?" I worry about him even though I dont see why I should. 
"He doesnt have a clue I am here. He's fine. He's in a 'I love this girl who hates me' daze but he's fine." My stomach starts churning. I knew he was going to make me feel horrible. "Listen, he told me about the talk. Sounded intense. But I am glad you all got it out, it was a long time coming. He was stupid but I already told you that was my fault. Egging him on, making him think you didnt want him so that he would see how awesome single life was. He got roped into all that because I was a dick." His eyes are so sincere. I know he believes this should all be on him. 
"Eric what do you want me to do? We just aren't made for each other. We are still in two different spots in life. He needs to focus on his family, " he leans in and looks around and says "I believe that family is you. He needs to focus on you. He focused on Ethan this week, tomorrow he goes back to his witch of a mother. Go see him. Look in his eyes and then tell yourself that its over."

28 November 2017

Release with Review:: Van by Sawyer Bennett


Van (Cold Fury, Book #9) Sawyer Bennett Release Date: November 28, 2017

Synopsis: Score one for the Carolina Cold Fury hockey team as a stone-cold badass melts for a woman who makes his blood run hot. As one of the league’s toughest enforcers, Van Turner is ruthless on the ice. He plays hard because it’s the only way to channel the rage boiling inside, and a reputation as an A-hole is better than everyone knowing the truth. Van has spent his entire life running from a secret that’s kept him from getting involved in relationships—or accepting lucrative deals with East Coast teams. Then the Carolina ColdFury makes him an offer he can’t refuse . . . and Van meets a woman he can’t resist. Simone Fournier is the stubborn one in her family—and that’s saying something, considering her brothers are two of the Cold Fury’s biggest stars. Simone gets what she wants, and what she wants is Van. Still, there’s a part of him Simone can’t reach, no matter how hard she tries. In private, he’s all fire and passion. In public, he freezes her out. Van may want to push her away, but Simone won’t let him go that easily. Because this time, she’s playing for keeps. Sawyer Bennett’s New York Times bestselling Carolina Cold Fury series can be read together or separately.

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35018727-van

Purchase Van (Cold Fury, Book #9):
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2zm018j
B&N: http://bit.ly/2pUfkB2
iBooks: http://apple.co/2pB0YqS
 Google Play: http://bit.ly/2qG2XeA
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2pPNkkK
Audible: http://adbl.co/2BgeVOC

Review:
Van is such a good man. He is a mystery. He just wants to forget his past, which means he cannot have much for a future because then the past would be seen. Simone does not give one crap about this man's past, she wants his future. She wants his time and she works very hard for it. I absolutely loved how direct she was with Van. She let him know what she wanted and needed from him. These two are a little lost but find each other. They don't get too deep except in each other and have lots of fun.
The story itself will have you on fire, its hot, its descriptive, and it flows so well you will want to read until you are done with the whole story. I love my Cold Fury players and their women.



About the Author:



Since the release of her debut contemporary romance novel, Off Sides, in January 2013, Sawyer Bennett has released multiple books, many of which have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists. A reformed trial lawyer from North Carolina, Sawyer uses real life experience to create relatable, sexy stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From new adult to erotic contemporary romance, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone. Sawyer likes her Bloody Marys strong, her martinis dirty, and her heroes a combination of the two. When not bringing fictional romance to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to a very active daughter, as well as full-time servant to her adorably naughty dogs. She believes in the good of others, and that a bad day can be cured with a great work-out, cake, or even better, both. Sawyer also writes general and women’s fiction under the pen name S. Bennett and sweet romance under the name Juliette Poe. Connect with Sawyer: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bennettbooks

Giiveaway:: The Merry Kid-oliday Giveaway

Sponsored By: PlaSmart, I See Me!, Handpainting - Fine Art Prints, Farm Hoppers, The Pencil Grip, and Ailihen

Hosted By: Love, Mrs. Mommy

1 Lucky Winner Will Receive: 

$244 worth of goodies!

PlaSmart

PlasmaCarin winner's choice of in-stock color! $69.99 RV!

I See Me!

Handpainting - Fine Art Prints

Winner's choice of any four, 8x10 prints! Pick out a set of 4 prints, or mix and match! $54 RV!
  

Farm Hoppers

Winner's choice of in-stock Farm Hopper! $29.89 RV!

The Pencil Grip

A 24 pack of Thin Stix! $24.99 RV!

Ailihen

HD850 Volume Limiting Headphones with SharePort and Microphone! Winner's choice of in-stock color! $19.98 RV!
Open To US entrants and must be 18+ to enter
Giveaway Dates ~ 11/27 9:00 AM EST through 12/14 11:59PM EST

Disclosure: Love, Mrs. Mommy and all participating bloggers are not held responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill their prize obligations. This giveaway is in no way endorsed or sponsored by Facebook or any other social media site. The winner will be randomly drawn by Giveaway Tools and will be notified by email. Winner has 48 hours to reply before a replacement winner will be drawn. If you would like to participate in an event like this please contact LoveMrsMommy (at) gmail (dot) com.

27 November 2017

I Like Writing:: Emma's POV

Kissing. We are kissing. I pull back " I am not a cheater Jake." I say it before I think. I don't want to throw it up again in his face but a spade is a spade. 
"I'm sorry. I know you are not a cheater and I havent done anything remotely close for almost 5 years. I barely even had sex when I was married. And I haven't since we separated. Every woman, every set of eyes, every laugh is compared to you. I am not that kid anymore. I am not jealous of your success. I am not mad you left anymore. I was mad. I never had a shot at college or the life of care free teenager. You not going that night was a slap to me. You didnt want to be with me. You didnt want to hang on my arm. Proud to be my girl." He thinks I wasnt proud. God, we had more problems than we even knew back then. We would have never made it. 
"Jake, I dont know what to say to that. We were together for two years if you didnt think I was proud to be with you, then maybe it was for the best we went our separate ways because I am with someone now that doesnt doubt me." I stand up to leave. This is going no where. We are just talking in circles. "I am happy you are in a good place." I repeat. God, I feel like that's all I can say anymore. "I dont come home often so I shouldn't see you much but if I do please know that we are good. We need to be." I leave. He doesnt try to stop me, again. I hate to admit that I am a little disappointed at that. 
I find Stephen sitting on my porch reading something on his phone. "And what do I owe this pleasure?" I hate that my heart isnt in this visit. "I wanted to see you." He stands up and kisses my cheek. 
"You could have gone inside."
"It's beautiful out and I have only been here a few minutes. Sit with me." We sit in silence for a good while, he continues to read something on his phone and I just stare into the distance. My phone keeps going and I keep ignoring it. "Babe, you going to get that?" "Nope, I was on the phone all day at work, it can wait for awhile. I'm enjoying just stopping for a minute."
He finally leaves after an hour of talking about nothing. He knows I am not feeling company. I could see it in his eyes. He doesnt know why, I am usually eager for him to be around since we are always fighting for time but I just want to sleep right now. 
My phone has 5 messages from an unknown number. 
            Unknown: I'm sorry about tonight
            Unknown: I will always love you. This cant be the end of us.
            Unknown: Please text me back to know I didnt screw it up 5 years ago.
            Unknown: Don't kill your mom for giving me your number. I just wanted to tell you one more time that I love you incase this is the end.
           Unknown: Goodnight. I wont message again. 
I slide down off my couch and sit on the floor. Damn it. I was so sure I could forget I had any communication with him tonight. He makes my heart ache. He has always been a sore spot in the center of my chest. 

24 November 2017

I Like Writing:: Jacob's POV

I shake my head. She doesnt get it. I dont give a damn about how Stephen acted. What I give a damn about is can I get her back? 
"Em, I couldn't give two shits how professional he was. He did his job, I am divorced. I should have never gotten married. My ass should have been at that college every second I wasn't working trying to convince you to give me a chance. I didn't. That's on me." I pound my open hand into my check. "I should have explained to you that night that I didn't remember going to bed with her because I was so drunk and mad because you didn't come out. I should have told you how much I love you and that I could never see myself with anyone else and shocked myself when I woke up with her." Her face goes white. I have never talked about any of these details. She has no clue what I went through that night in my mind. She doesn't know that I hate myself for allowing myself to fall. She sits on the couch, head down and looks on the verge of tears. I kneel in front of her. "What I didn't tell you is that no matter what you will always be my heart."
"But you slept with her, you had a baby with her. Cheated, that's what you did. You broke every vow we made to each other for the future. I didn't even want to touch you after you told me what you did. I felt like I was touching her instead." God, how I wish we would have done this five years ago. 
"I loved you, I love you now. Will you ever forgive me? Will you ever be able to trust me again? I have your heart, I know I do. Your eyes tell me that you miss me. You miss me as much as I miss you. I cant change what happened but I can promise you that it will never happen again. I know that is an empty promise but I will proof it everyday." 
"I really wish it were that easy. In my mind I just keep replaying that night. You telling me about the baby. Your beautiful son. I do miss you, miss us. I think I always will. I know I keep saying it, but I am in a good place. You seem like you are too." I shake my head "Not without you. I have never been in a good place without you." She stops playing with her nail and looks me in the eye "Except when you were fucking the school whore, right?" She's finally getting angry. She needs to yell at me. I know my girls temper. She needs to let it out. "Jacob, how can I even think of being back here in this town when everyone knows it was her that broke us? How can I face her at school functions with your son? How can I think you'll never get mad at me and drink until you are oblivious to know who you are in bed with?" She stands. "You were mad? I was mad too! I told you I didn't want to go out. I told you that I needed to focus on a finishing the year strong. You never once thought that I was trying to better myself to better us. You were selfish, mad because I was leaving, I had all intentions of coming back and never leaving again. " She's out of breath. I do the only thing I can think of and kiss her with all I have. 

22 November 2017

Release with Review:: Healing Hope by C.A. Harms


Title: Healing Hope 
Author: C.A. Harms
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: November 14, 2017

Hope Larsen is living each day of her life with a crippling guilt. The game of ‘what if’ has made it almost impossible to move forward from such a horrific event. In one life-changing moment, someone who meant so very much to her was taken. A man who once was her best friend. A man she fell in love with.
Now she must face the life she’d laid out before her alone, being reminded each day of his absence. The longing inside her, the desperation to be able to still love him without it hurting so much.
She just wanted to live without feeling the pain of losing Walker. But each time she attempted to move forward, there was that lingering thought that somehow she was tarnishing his memories.
Then he shows up. He waltzes right into her life as if he belongs. Strong, confident, and determined to make her see him.

When Travis Donovan crosses paths with the snarky blond, he’s intrigued. Her dismissal of him and his antics doesn’t have the effect she’d hoped for. In fact, it’s just the opposite. He’s not one to run scared from a challenge, but instead, he's the type to fight even harder to conquer it.
Though she tries to fight her attraction for the cocky electrician, she finds that his dedication fascinates her. 
Over time, Hope comes to the realization that there’s one thing that scares her the most. Travis Donovan reminds her of the one she lost.
That stride, that smile, even the way he torments her…it’s all the same. He could be the one to show her that it's okay to move forward. It’s okay to love again. 
Travis Donovan just might be the one to heal Hope.


She was a fiery little thing.
She couldn’t have been more than five foot two, one hundred and ten pounds maybe, but that was even pushing it. Long blond hair, perfect tits. The woman definitely made this job a little more enjoyable, even if she was currently staring holes through my back. Or maybe it was my ass. 
I look over my shoulder, and again I find her eyes focused on my backside.
Yep, most definitely staring holes in my ass. 
“You almost finished?”
I try to hide my smile when I turn around to face her, but when I see her cheeks flush again, I can’t stop myself.
“What’s so funny?” She narrows her eyes, doing her best to appear unimpressed. I know poking at her only infuriates her more, but again, it was an impulse I couldn’t control. 
“I was just wondering if you wanted to grab your phone.” My smile grew wider when she arched her brow. She looked confused and again it found it fueled me more. “You know, to snap a picture of my ass.” Her eyes narrowed and she stands in a hurry and takes a step toward me. “Now don’t go getting all mad at me, princess, you’re the one openly checking out my backside. I should feel violated.”
“I was not.”
Even if I wanted to believe her words, her eyes gave it all away. She couldn’t even look at me.
“This job was supposed to be done thirty minutes ago.” She chooses to move right over the earlier topic. “Are you sure you’re qualified for this job? Do you even know what you’re doing?”
I nod, loving once again that this woman thought she could outsmart me. 
“Does your boss know about your work ethic?” Again she tries for stern and offended, and again she fails. She was an open book, and I was enjoying every fucking chapter. “I think he needs to know just how rude and obnoxious you are.”
“Maybe he does.” I shrug as I reach into my back pocket and pull out a card. Holding out my hand to her I watch as her gaze shifted. “Give him a call, princess, and tell him all about how you’re sexually harassing his employee.”
She jerked the card from me and instantly placed her other hand on her hip. 
“I am,” she pauses. “I never.” I could see the battle in eyes. “I did no such thing.”
Shrugging again, I turn back toward the job and finished up with the last few things. “Whatever you say, Princess.”
I hear her practically growl in frustration, just before her feet beat against the floor to the other side of the room. Without turning around I imagine her seeking out her phone. My smile growing so wide it makes my cheeks ache as my phone begins to vibrate and ring on my hip. 
Instead of answering it, I hang my head and do my very best to hide my chuckle.
With each ring, it grows harder to refrain and suddenly I’m hit in the back of the head with something soft.
Turning around, I look to the floor at my feet and see a light blue throw pillow. Ever so slowly, I lift my gaze and find a certain blonde with fire in her eyes staring back at me. 
“Did you just throw a pillow at me?”
“Yes, I did.” She didn't even hesitate, “You should consider yourself lucky I didn’t go for the empty bottle instead.”
A moment of silence passes before she walks toward me once more and places a hand on each hip. The action alone pushes out her breasts, and it takes everything inside me not to lower my eyes. 
“You are an ass.” The way she states this slowly enhances the humor once again. “For a business owner, I must say I’m surprised you are as credible as you are. You must spend most days in the office, otherwise, I’m sure it’d be hard to land a job.”
I stand before her, a screwdriver in one hand and a switch cover in the other, observing her every move. The way her nose wrinkles up as if she is confused by my lack of reaction to her words. 
“And will you stop smiling?” Her words come out in more of a whine. I can almost visualize her stomping her foot.
“Why does my smile affect you?” I was rolling into dangerous territory here. Keeping things professional had never been a problem for me, until now. Messing with clients, or even renters of clients was something I never did. At this point though, it was addictive. This battle of wills between two stubborn people intrigued me. I liked the way she challenged me with just one simple look. “Does my smile make that fire inside you ignite? Does it make you feel something you don’t want to admit?” He taunted me a little more, and for a moment I slipped allowing him to see a trace of a smile tug at the corner of my lips. 
That was my mistake, it was like throwing meat out for a hungry lion, it only gave him an invite to play a little more. “Tell me what part you like most?”
“You truly are an ass!” I hated how he affected me, but I also felt a spark of interest that I hadn’t felt in so long. His arrogance irritated me more than I should be allowing it to, but it reminded me so much of the person I had lost. The person I spend every day missing. They were alike in the way they held themselves, that confidence that gave them such a powerful impact on those around them. The mischievous glimmer in their eyes, it was all so much the same.

Review:
When you are crippled by fear and don't know how to fix that. When you don't want to live a life worth living. When you are so into your own little bubble that you don't realize what is being missed. That is Hope. All of that is Hope. Travis has built a life out of nothing. He wasn't given anything but has built a successful business and has loyal friends. He has a great sense of humor and loves having fun. He meets Hope while trying to complete a job. He is immediately intrigued and wants to know more about her. He can see the pain in her eyes. I loved Travis and Hope together. I loved the banter and chemistry. CA as always delivers two emotional driven people and a storyline that keeps you going until the end. The family was involved, we met moms and dads and brothers. You felt like you were home with them, snuggled up on the couch watching these two people find love.


C.A. Harms is like any other addicted reader. She enjoys happy endings and HEA love stories. She hasn't always been a lover of Romance and had once been addicted to a good Mystery. Just recently she has taken on a new liking and now is a full blown Romance novel addict. She lives in Illinois and enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. You will always find her with her kindle or paperback in hand as it is her favorite pass time.
HOSTED BY:

I Like Writing:: Emma's POV

I must be crazy. No, no must about it I am. I called my mom and got Jake's address. We need to talk. I wasn't in any shape at the club a few weeks ago and then he completely shocked me at work. There was no way to get into with Stephen right there. 
She informed me where he is living now and also that he wouldn't have his son. She said and I agreed that there was no reason to cause drama around his little boy. So here I am, knocking on his door. I am nervous, my hands are sweating, and there are butterflies in my belly. 
He answers the door with wide eyes. I know I probably have shocked him. I have shocked myself. "Em, what are you doing here?" After what seems like hours of staring at each other he speaks.
"Um, well, I figured since you know I am close again and we keep running into each other it was time to talk. We need to be able to be in the same place without it being weird." He moves out of the way of the door and allows me in. I am taken back about home comfy it is. Dark furniture and light walls. You can tell a family lives here. I have lived in my place for almost a year and the walls are still bare, he has so many pictures lining his. Lots of him and his son, from birth until what I am assuming is recent. I move into the living room. A picture on his mantle has my attention: our prom picture. "Jake" He comes up behind me. He lays his hands on my hips. 
"I put it out when I moved in. There are a few more in my bedroom. I didnt want Ethan to ask too many questions at this point. Right now he just knows you as a friend of daddy's. Figured its too complicated to explain the whole situation to a 4 year old." He chuckles. 
I move away from him. He grabs my arm, pulls me close, "I am so sorry. I keep thinking about that night 5 years ago. I was so lost. I was stupid. I just didnt know how to do it all."
"Yea me too. Listen I just wanted to let you know that I'm not mad anymore. I just wanted you to know that I am happy for you and glad you got to spend the time with your son and that I am doing well. I feel like we never really discussed anything but I needed to let you know that I good with life right now. And I am sorry about Stephen the other day." I need to get it over with and get home. I don't want to end up really hashing out the last 5 years or talking about what could have happened. He lets me go at the mention of Stephen. 
"You're serious about this guy? This guy is your guy huh?" He smirks. All of that and he wants to focus on Stephen. 
"Yea I am. I mean he's a good guy. I am sorry how he acted the other day in the office. He is usually very professional with his clients." 

Release with Review:: Endless Love by Nelle L'Amour


Title: Endless Love
Series: Love Series #2
Author: Nelle L'Amour
Genre: Erotic Romance
Release Date: November 8, 2017
The long-awaited sequel to New York Times bestselling author, Nelle L’Amour’s critically acclaimed masterpiece, Undying Love.
“With love, there are no goodbyes.”
The heart-wrenching words of Ryan Madewell’s beloved late wife. It’s been almost five years since Allee died, but Ryan, now a successful writer, hasn’t been able to move on. Passing in and out of the stages of grief, he’s been unable to find a woman who can mend his broken heart. Someone new to love and cherish.
Until he meets Willow Rosenthal, a fiery, spirited former ballerina, who awakens in him feelings of lust and passion he thought he’d never experience again.
Allee, in her dying letter, urged Ryan to move on…to live his life and find another woman to make him feel alive again. And finally he has.
Just when Ryan thinks he can let go and love again, Willow’s demons from the past resurface and threaten to end their relationship. Their incredible love story. Ryan must fight for what he deserves. Will his heart once again be shredded to pieces or will he finally get his happily ever after?
“Is it okay if I sit down on the bed?”
“Sure,” I said breathlessly. A sudden wave of embarrassment and insecurity washed over me as he lowered himself next to me. Here I was in bed with Ryan Madewell IV, the drop-dead, gorgeous bestselling author of Undying Love. Holy shit!
His eyes swept around the room, taking in every detail.
“Is this where you slept as a child?”
“Yes,” I said diffidently. The room hadn’t been redecorated for years. It still bore my white wrought iron canopy bed and the painted cottage furniture my mom had found at the 26th Street flea market. The pink floral wallpaper matched my bedspread and the curtains that hung on the window. It was so embarrassingly princessy. And next to me on one of my pillows was my favorite stuffed animal—a dilapidated little monkey.
“Who’s that?” asked Ryan upon eyeing it.
“Baboo. I’ve had him since I was a baby.”
Ryan’s gaze stayed on him. “I had one of those. His name was Monk. But my mother threw him out when I was five. I think that was the beginning of all my fuckedupness.”
“I’m sorry,” I said with compassion, remembering what I’d read about his mother in his book. Eleanor Madewell. She was an icy alcoholic with narcissistic tendencies. So unlike my warm, loving mother.
His gaze moved to my nightstand. He studied what was on it.
“Is that your mom?” he asked, pointing his long index finger at a framed photo. It was a portrait of a woman in her early twenties with flaming red hair similar to mine. She held a little curly-haired redheaded girl in her arms. Me.
“Yeah.”
“Your father is right. She was beautiful…like you.”
“Thanks,” I murmured, heating from the compliment.
Before I could say another word, his face brightened. “And you still keep a copy of my book on your nightstand?”
I felt my face flush and smiled shyly. “I like to re-read chapters before I go to sleep.” I paused. “Thanks again for signing it.”
“No, thank you for asking me.” His eyes burnt into mine. I was having a hard time breathing and I didn’t know what to say next. The heavenly scent of his light cologne drifted up my nose, making me heady.
His eyes surveyed the rest of the room. I’d read once that writers are observers.
His gaze fixed on the framed photos on my dresser—most of them of me, taken at various stages in my life, in leotards and tutus, some at recitals, others at classes. Then, he shifted his vision to the worn, pink satin pointe shoes that dangled from my headboard. They were my very first pair—I was only ten when I got them.
“Are you a dancer?” he asked.
My muscles tensed. “Yes.” Or should I say was?
“Do you perform?”
I hesitated before responding. “No.”
A half-truth. I hadn’t performed for over six months and I wasn’t sure if I ever would again. I didn’t want to get into details about my recent past. Or think about Gustave …at least right now.
His eyes stayed riveted on the little pink slippers as he gave them a light tap. Tied to the bed by their frayed ribbons, they swung back and forth like a pendulum.
“Do you want me to go downstairs and get you something to eat?”
“Maybe in a little bit.” The truth was I hungered only for him; I didn’t want him to leave me. Not yet. As I soaked in his gorgeous profile, my heart thudded and a buzz of lust flooded my body. I longed to touch him. Run my fingers through his hair. For him to touch me. Trace my lips with his fingers. An awkward stretch of silence followed as he continued to play with my pointe shoes. Then, he turned to face me again, the expression on his face a mixture of hesitance and longing.
“Willow, I want to ask you something.” He paused, holding me in his gaze. “Can I kiss you?”
My lips parted in shock, and my heart practically stopped. “Yes, please,” I murmured. Now! I couldn’t wait a moment more.
On my next rapid heartbeat, he cupped my cheeks in his hands, leaned down, and crushed his soft, warm lips against mine. He nibbled my upper lip, then deepened the kiss, gnawing and sucking. Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God. I’d never been kissed like this before. A heat wave spread through my body, setting every cell on fire. As a moan escaped my throat, his tongue parted my lips and found mine. They danced together, swirling and twirling, two strangers in the night discovering each other. The salty taste of the salmon lingered in his mouth and mixed with his sweet saliva, making him even more delicious. My fingers fisted his hair as our lips, tongues, and moans mingled. I had read about his kisses, but nothing had prepared me for the sensation of one. It was the kiss of all kisses. I thought I was leaving this planet.
Suddenly, heavy footsteps thudded in the near distance. My father!

Review: 
This story had a lot of emotion raw and true in it. Ryan's story concludes with meeting Willow but not letting her in. He is still grieving. He is still working on himself. Willow is a breath of fresh air however she has a lot on her shoulders. They work through a lot of situations together. Ryan loves hard. He has to continue his fight to keep moving. I liked how this story rolled and that love does conquer.




I am a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Los Angeles with her Prince Charming-ish husband, twin college-bound princesses, and a bevy of royal pain-in-the-butt pets. A former executive in the entertainment industry with a prestigious Humanitas Prize for promoting human dignity and freedom to my credit, I gave up playing with Barbies a long time ago, but I still enjoy playing with toys with my hubby. While I write in my PJs, I love to get dressed up and pretend I’m Hollywood royalty. My steamy stories feature characters that will make you laugh, cry, and swoon and stay in your heart forever. They’re often inspired by my past life.

To learn about my new releases, sales, and giveaways, please sign up for my newsletter and follow me on social media. I love to hear from my readers.
HOSTED BY: