Chinese New Year 2016

#chinesenewyear #yearofmonkey

Growing up I didn't have a clue about other cultures. My hometown is a small southern city that has a mostly black population. I only knew of Blacks, Whites, and Native Americans. There was only one Asian store that we rarely went in. It wasn't until I moved to Boston that I met someone from a different background. One of my friends was Portuguese and the other was Puerto Rican. My sister best friend was Vietamese. Still we were young and didn't really think about the differences.

So it wasn't until I moved back to Boston as an adult that I paid attention to Chinese New Year. If you have never been to Boston then you would think that it is big but it really is not. Boston is somewhat small. Walk a few minutes from the downtown area and you will arrive in China Town. It is not the biggest China Town by far but it has a pretty fun Chinese New Year celebration.

It was great the sight to behold. The firecrackers popping. The dragon dance. The colorful costumes. The band and the music. All the different people coming together to celebrate a culture.

I have only been to it twice. I am not a fan the cold and February in Boston is definitely cold so twice is all I could manage. Now I am back in the south. The city that I am in has an Asian population but not big enough to have any activities to go to. So this year I will do what the book blogger in me tells me to do...read a book. I am hoping that one day I can go to the Chinese New Year Festival in California.

Are you going to a Chinese New Year festival? Do you throw a party? I'll like to hear about it.

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My TBR List February 2016 - Let's Vote

@Limabean74 #mytbrl

The Contestants

Wedding planner Tyler Warren left heartbreak behind when she ran away from her small Southern hometown and started a new life in a big city. Years later, she wants to believe in the fairy-tale endings her job promotes, but the clients she meets day after day seem to be more “Crazily Ever After” than “Happily Ever After.” 

Meanwhile, her own attempts at romance play out as bizarre comedies rather than love stories, and she’s starting to think Prince Charming either fell off his horse or got eaten by a dragon. When unresolved issues from Tyler’s past complicate things even further, she discovers she may yet have some things to figure out before she can find her own happy ending. 

This delightful first book in the Tales Behind the Veils series chronicles Tyler’s wacky misadventures, both personal and professional. Whether she’s getting insane requests from brides or outlandish requests on dates, you’re sure to be charmed and entertained by the Diary of a Single Wedding Planner.

Purchase Link

Amazon

In this romantic comedy, Marin Johns is San Francisco’s Pollyanna couples therapist. She’s months away from wedded bliss when she discovers her fiancé is having an affair. After nursing her broken heart with Kleenex and break-up songs, she adopts a new brand of thinking when she uncovers a tell-all book that proves all men are liars and cheaters who will do and say anything so they’re not found out. No exceptions. 

In an attempt to convince her friends of her newfound truth, she begins a fictitious relationship with James, a do-gooder from Montana. Marin seeks any means necessary to catch him cheating from hiring a PI to enlisting the help of a fidelity tester. Will her new "boyfriend" beat the statistic or will Marin regret the satisfaction of being right?

Purchase Link

Amazon

The year is 1999 and Elly Palmer and Kent Lytle are embarking on their senior year of high school. Their lives change forever when a stranger comes into town riding in her candy apple red Audi Cabriolet.

Jen Derby wants one thing: Kent. And no one is going to stand in her way, not even his best friend "Elly-phant." When winning Kent's complete attention isn't as easy as she thought it would be, Jen fights back with a vengeance.

The poison-laced smiles Jen threw her way made one thing clear to Elly: Jen isn't the one for Kent. How long would it be before Kent saw Jen for who she really was? And when he did would he turn his attentions in Elly's hopeful direction?

Purchase Link

Amazon

Create your own user feedback survey
Create your own user feedback survey

Like to join the fun? Here's how it works.

Each month you will make a post with three books from your TBR List (these books can be already on your kindle or shelf or books you might want to purchase) and add your link on the linky that will be provided on Because Reading post. Click here to go to this month sign up

Your followers and the people on the linky will help you choose which book you will read next.

The following Saturday you will announce the book that won. Then read the book.

On the last Saturday of the month post a review (with an optional giveaway, Michelle at Because Reading does this sometimes just for fun but you don’t have to).

The Rules

Ex. Lets say its September…
The first Saturday is the 6th – your post will go up with the 3 books you choose (as stated above these books can be already on your kindle or shelf or books you might want to purchase) and then link it to the linky on Because Reading blog.
     Her post will go up at 5am est. Make sure your link your post back to it in order to have your followers        visit other people’s blogs to help vote if they want.

     You can do the Polling however you would like. Survey Monkey, it has a good one and it’s free (here is        an EXAMPLE of Michelle's post). You can set it up and say whatever you would like – it’s totally up to        you. All this is asked is that you link back to Because Reading.

The second Saturday is the 13th – this is the day you announce which book won and whatever else you would like.
     (here is an EXAMPLE of Michelle's post). Her post will have a linky, so we can all easily see what                everyone will be reading.

The third Saturday is the 20th– you don’t have to post anything

The fourth (and/or last) Saturday is the 27th– this is when your review will go up regardless of how you liked the book.
     Please note even if you didn’t finished it just write a small post about how you felt about the book.                Michelle don’t write DNF reviews, but she does for this feature so followers can see what she thought          about the book they picked.

Some months have 4 weeks and some have five so a post always has to go up the First and Second Saturday and the last Saturday of the month

The final review post will also have a linky on it so you can link up your reviews and we can see what you thought of the book that was picked. This will draw some views to your blog and maybe find some new friends along the way.

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Blog Tour: Until You Came Along by Kshitij

@Kshitijb44 @yaboundtours #giveaway #blogtour

Until You Came Along by Kshitij 
Pages: 331
Publisher: Self Publish
Source: YA Bound Book Tours
Format: ePub
Rating: ☆ ☆ 

Synopsis:

People never change; they only become more or less of who they really are…

Just as mysteriously as Alyssa appeared in Estella’s life she disappeared. Who was Alyssa, really?  For all their years of friendship in college, Estella has no idea why Alyssa left without saying goodbye after graduation.  Now, after all these years, Alyssa leaves a recording on Estella’s voicemail –an RSVP to their college reunion! Trembling with delight and dread, Estella has only one question:  Why?

Alyssa has been searching for something all her life—her future. She believes in nothing but success and winning. Manipulative, wilful, emotionally cold is the best way she can describe herself.  To the world and her college mates, she’s glamorous, confident and has life on a silver platter—men dream of having her and women dream of being her!  But Alyssa is blind to everything except success… until she meets Kurt, a dreamy exchange student, who challenges everything she believes, while his touch runs through her body like the sweetest flame, making her want things she knows she shouldn’t have!  Kurt wants her heart and that’s the one thing Alyssa can’t give him.

Through seven years of silence, Estella and Alyssa discover life is ever changing—just as their perception of themselves…yet, how could they ever know tragedy and joy are from the same tears of life? 

Goodreads

Purchase

Amazon

My Review
Okay this isn't one my favorites. If I wasn't part of the tour it would've been something that end up on my small DNF list. At the beginning of the story I was so confused. Am I suppose to like this Alyssa? Because I found her to be shallow and self absorbed. Est thought of herself as supportive and the one to lean on. I thought she was obsessed with Alyssa. Is it me? Is this how best friends feel? I'm I the weird one. It seemed as though her whole world revolved around Alyssa.

In the end, Aylssa realizes that she was just skating by. Est years later still had the same view of Alyssa. Still had her on a pedestal. She didn't even want to hear the truth about how Aylssa really was from Aylssa.

Eh, I don't know. I just didn't connect with this story at all. I wasn't fond of the characters from the beginning and once it did pick up it was too late.

About the Author
kshitij lives in New Delhi. He has written books in various genres. Classic literature novels, movies and culture have been his source of inspiration. Although he graduated with a business degree, the word ‘ART’ holds a special place in his heart. When not writing, he can be found learning about history, food, and people for his new book.

Author Links

Facebook  -  Twitter  -  Goodreads

Excerpt:

This has to be my final and the most memorable trophy before the term at Stoke ends.”  Alyssa looked at Estella with a smile, awaiting her response. Things somehow never seemed sure to Alyssa until Estella confirmed them. The answer to every question in Alyssa’s life, no matter how trivial it was, had to be assured by Estella.  

Estella nodded yes and then dropped her head to attend to the afternoon meal. While Alyssa somehow never felt the need to eat, Estella was pretty disciplined when it came to her food. She had to eat three times a day, no matter what was going on around her. She never believed in skipping meals. She knew it only took a few minutes to eat, even if one was in a hurry. But Estella had almost given up in her efforts to make Alyssa eat, and she herself sometimes missed meals when she was with Alyssa. The girls had made it a routine to be in the café at least for an afternoon meal and at all the times between or after their lectures.

“ Est, why don’t you?”  Alyssa said, widening her eyes.

Estella looked straight at her, wondering why her friend left the question hanging in the air. “ Why don’t I what, Aly?” “ Why didn’t you register your name in QS?” “ You’re kidding, right?”  Estella shook her head. “ No, I’m not. You know that.” “ Come on, Aly. You know me better than anyone. I’ve not registered because I just didn’t feel like being in it. It’s not the first time.”

Alyssa knew Estella avoided the dance competitions, or fancy dress competitions, or most of the contests of a similar kind. She couldn’t recall if they’d participated in the same competition. But Alyssa always wished Estella would consider it—she had all the qualities to win. Estella was perhaps the best at color and style, and she was a great dancer. But she only danced for fun in senior farewell parties, birthday bashes, or at Alyssa’s shindigs at London.

Estella had good overall grades. Alyssa thought Estella could be her closest contender if she somehow managed to convince her friend to be part of the competition. But before Alyssa could further her argument, Estella read her face and quickly responded, “ I’d never ever take part in the competition you’re in.”  She grinned and made it all sound like a joke. What was that supposed to mean? Alyssa thought, looking at Estella who was again busy with her food. What Alyssa didn’t notice was the gaze that was locked onto her face.

It was Kurt’s. He was sitting alone at the extreme corner of the café, in a seat with a view outside and with a half-finished burger, fries, and a Coke. Kurt had decided he’d never become obsessed with a single thing, person, or motive in his life. That was something he inherited from Woody. But from the first time he’d seen Alyssa, he, like so many others, couldn’t think of anything else but her. He managed to find out everything about her, which turned out to be an easy thing to do. He’d already become a stalker, following the girl, not knowing why and confused about his feelings.

“ How are you, captain?”

Kurt saw Nick taking a seat beside him. He’d started calling Kurt the captain, which was the best thing Kurt had heard since joining the team. Kurt thought that Nick had also noticed him staring blatantly at Alyssa. Sensing Nick had seen the subject of his gaze, Kurt dropped his eyes, feeling embarrassed.  “ It’s okay, mate... she’s the hottest property in here,”  Nick said, looking at Alyssa and then at Kurt. “ And she’s used to such inviting and flirtatious eyes,”  Nick added, picking up fries from Kurt’s plate. Alyssa was talking and smiling, speaking with her pink lips, flashing glimpses of the dimples in her cheeks.

As she tucked loose strands of hair behind her ears, Kurt saw her pierced ears and shining earrings. There were two different rings—one dangling much like a wind chime on a breezy day and the other that appeared to be a bit more unconventional in design but still held a precious jewel. That’s what Kurt assumed, not that he had any experience in female adornments.  Then he saw a man put his arm around Alyssa’s shoulder, and taking a seat with the girls.  “ That’s Adam, her boyfriend,”  He heard Nick say, but Kurt neither responded to Nick nor looked at Adam.

His sight was fixated on her. He felt his heart was reading, looking, feeling, tasting, and breathing her. The kittenish batting of her eyes, the shape of her mouth, the gleam of her teeth, and those loose hair—wild, black, and beautiful. And then that snowy face, which could light the darkness and ignite a flame of passion in the most pessimistic soul. There must be a catch, Kurt thought. He’d heard somewhere that a smile could cure little things, but a smile like hers could end half of the world’s problems: how could anyone who’d seen Alyssa ever forget her or remember himself or remember anything, for that matter.

As he watched her kissing her boyfriend, his eyes couldn’t see anything but those lips—he opened his lips to fit hers. There was a space between them—the space he couldn’t see or feel. He was already savoring what he thought was their first of many kisses.

Challenges

10/6 books

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Challenge Corner: Valentine's Day Scavenger Hunt

#valentinesday #scavengerhunt #romance

Challenge Corner is a group on Goodreads

For the month of February it is hosting a Valentine theme challenge. The details are below.

The Valentine's Day scavenger hunt!
For the month of February, our solo challenge is to find all one hundred words relating to Valentine's Day throughout the month in the books you read. We hope you have fun reading and searching for the words and that it brings the Valentine's spirit to you.
Rules:
1. Books must be read and reviewed (or with five status updates) between February 1 and February 29.
2. No graphic novels/manga/comics allowed.
3. Books must be over 100 pages to count.
4. Novellas are not allowed.
5. Rereads are allowed.
6. Only five words can be found per book.
Points:
1. One point per book read and reviewed under 400 pages
2. Two points for books read and reviewed that are over 400 pages.
3. One point per word found in a book.
4. Five points per every 25 words found.

Words:
1. Heart
2. Love
3. Joy
4. Happiness
5. Alone
6. Single
7. Couple
8. Rose/roses
9. Proposal
10. Chocolate
11. Ring
12. Date
13. Card
14. Gifts
15. Presents
16. Flowers
17. Kiss
18. Hugs
19. Candles
20. Romance
21. February
22. stuffed animals
23. Candy
24. Married
25. Engaged
26. In love
27. Dinner
28. Bears
29. Valentine's Day
30. Passion
31. Cupid
32. Jewelry
33. Winter
34. Fourteen
35. Bow and arrow
36. Boyfriend
37. Secret admirers
38. Sweetheart
39. Girlfriend
40. Pink
41. Poem
42. Lovebirds
43. Forever
44. Always
45. Moonstruck
46. Red
47. Lace
48. Letter
49. Rainbow
50. Perfume
51. Picture
52. Restaurant
53. Celebrate
54. Anniversary
55. Gesture
56. Flirt
57. Crush
58. Serenade
59. Bouquet
60. Husband
61. Friends
62. Wife
63. Fiancé
64. Lovesick
65. Fancy
66. Balloons
67. Candlelit
68. Giftcard
69. Surprise
70. Snow
71. Cold
72. Ice
73. Misery
74. Ending
75. Games
76. Pretender
77. Cheating
78. Brokenhearted
79. Tears
80. Shy
81. Sadness
82. Cake
83. Dance
84. Formal
85. Evening
86. Sunset
87. Sunrise
88. Bubbly
89. Vacation
90. Shooting Star
91. First love
92. Wish
93. Hope
94. Break-up
95. Wonderland
96. Comfort
97. Crying/cry
98. Laugh/laughing
99. Warm fire
100. Frozen

Review: link to review
Word(s): List the words found within the book, please include the sentence that includes the word.
Pages: list the number of pages


Review Link: upcoming 2/22
pages: 254
Word(s):
#20 - Romance
I Heck, it was better than romance.
#1 - Heart
Songwriting wasn't for the faint of heart.
#2 - Love
In the shower, out driving, while making love-times when it wasn't exactly kosher to stop and jot things down.
#44 - Always
In the end, though, they always delivered.
#65 - Fancy

But coming up with the fancy word stuff on his own just wasn't him...which generally worked, since he'd never wanted to be front and center.

Review Link
pages:370

#8 - Rose & #46 - Red
As the doors of the elevator open, I see my hubby with a red rose in his hand

#62 - Wife

I'm his wife, so he can't help asking my opinions,  and taking them seriously. 

#5 - Alone

Just when I was beginning to feel that Alyssa couldn't manage without ne, she decided to leave me alone.

#24 - Married

I married Luke, added some interesting fashion - designing projects to my resume,  and best of all, I had Paech.

Review Link: coming 2/23
Pages: 240

#26 - In Love
He isn't merely dating Mia. He's in love with her.

#12 - Date
I wanted my dad to date.

#34 - Fourteen
He chuckles. "Now you are about what--?“  He size me Up. "Fourteen."

#36 - Boyfriend
Suddenly, he was just tired. "I said he was the best boyfriend you'd had dated in a decade."

#78 - Brokenhearted
I'm brokenhearted and you suggest a Marvel marathon?

Review Link
Pages: 327

#79 - Tears

Mayra had tears in her eyes.

#39 - Girlfriend
No wonder he didn't have a girlfriend, not that she had asked.

#27 - Dinner & #53 - Celebrate
Lucas says we should celebrate by go to a movie or dinner or something.

#42 - Lovebirds
I know you lovebirds must have had a nice time, but we were suppose to be home like twenty minutes ago, Jimmy.


Review Link
Pages: 417

#72 - Ice
Chase felt like she'd stepped in a bucket of ice water.

#64 - Lovesick
Even though I've been here from day one, supporting you, keeping your secret. Like one of your lovesick tailers.

#3 - Joy
"No joy," she said and sat on the edge of the bunk.

#98 - Laugh
His low laugh filled the shortwave.

#56 - Flirt
He's a thoughtless flirt, but he's a decent guy underneath, I swear



Review Link
Pages:368

#93 - Hope
Within my grief and fear, one small ember of pride glows,  and it feels like the only heat or hope in this world.

#97 - Crying
"You-" My wavering voice, already strained from crying,  broke.

#11 - Ring
Hold your ring up to the hologram,  okay?

#18 - Hugs
The hugs me tighter so tightly that my feet lift off the ground and he carries me off the dance floor, away from all the lights.

#49 - Rainbow
They let us paint it in a rainbow of colors, just goop it on with our hands, because they loved hearing us laugh and also because no two human beings on earth cared less about how their furniture looked. 

Review Link: coming 2/25

#83 - Dance
"What, don't like to dance?"

#17 - Kiss
He leans in, as if to kiss me again, due doesn't.

#31 - Jewelry
There's no way to know where Serena stays, let alone where she keeps her jewelry.

#74 - Ending
Is that the speech ending,  or did it just begin?

#61 - Friends
Your father was one of our friends, but unfortunately he did not pay his debts.


Review Link
pages 284

#4 - Happiness
Happiness is a strange thing.

#61 - Cold
We feel it like the sun on our faces on a cold winter's day, or the cool summer breeze on the hottest summer night and we hold on to it for dear life.

#7 - Couple
And for the first time ever in our history,  our Principal Leader will Couple to serve his civic duty, Veronica.

#60 - Husband
Is this the kind of respect you show your husband?

#92 - Wish
Well I wish you would leave the six of us alone.


Pages: 385
 #16 - Flowers
I brought in a few flowers to cheer the place up.

 #30 - Passion 
She met his passion with a hard need of her own...

 #29 - Valentine's Day 
I can't believe how hard she came down on you for that Valentine's Day project.

 #37 - Lace
He pulled the ugly sweater up and exposed  a red lace bra that appeared two sizes too small.

 #85 - Evening
Inhaling the sharp evening breeze, he peered across the electronic fence line at Ed's-Bev's-house and wondered why it was so quiet.



Pages 259
Review Link

#6 - Single
Not a single soul had tried to use the stairs, so I think he was just trying to say hello.

#23 - Candy
As far as I'm concerned, no amount of " rinsing out " would make it suitable for candy again.

#49 - Bouquet
He arrived on time with a gorgeous bouquet.

#96 - Comfort
Asking me questions, actually listening to the answers,  and being extremely attentive to my comfort and needs.

#14 - Gift
Well, I bought you a gift, I intended to give it to you after your bath, but since that won't be happening,  I'd like to go ahead and give it to you now. 

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Shelfari - Losing My Group

#Shelfarigobyebye #Goodreadsmerger

Hi! Some of you may know that I have a group on Shelfari. It was basically a place where none bloggers could keep track of all the reading challenges they signed up for. You all know that I sign up for reading challenges every year. So it made sense to have a central place for others to do that as well.

When I was new to blogging I used Library Thing, Shelfari, and Goodreads to keep track of the books I was reading. Shelfari seemed like a closer community so I chose to have my group on Shelfari. I was surprise that anyone even joined. The first few years were pretty great. People look forward to signing up to various challenges. This two years the excitement has waned. Probably because I didn't give it as much attention that I used to.

Any... Shelfari is now merging with Goodreads. I do use both though I used Goodreads more now due to the blog tours and book blitzes I participate in. My group basically list reading challenges that I found via the web. I would post it with links and such. People were able to track of their books on there. Now that they are merging with Goodreads, I have decided not to continue with the group. Goodreads has a large group selection and most of the challenges I would like in my group can easily be found on Goodreads.

I'm going to miss that group but everything comes to an end eventually. So long my Shelfari friends.

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Book Blitz: In the After by Elisa Dane

@ElisaDane @xpressoreads #giveaway #bookblitz

In the After
Elisa Dane
Published by: Swoon Romance
Publication date: February 2nd 2016
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult

Sadie Reynolds is a liar with secrets. At school, she’s part of the popular crowd known as AE, despite being broken inside. She hides it well. She has to. The slightest bit of imperfection will land her in the same shoes as her Geeky neighbor named Ian.
Ian and his only friend are the object of Sadie’s friends’ ridicule, ire, and entertainment. The AE rule the school with intimidation and retribution against anyone who would dare question their supremacy.
Sadie steers clear of most of it, terrified someone will find out her secret. She isn’t the least bit perfect. In fact, she suffers from PTSD stemming from the murder of her mother right before her eyes when she was a child. She can barely cope from day-to-day, hiding her truth and trying to fit in. But she knows it’s only a matter of time.
Hayden is a “Waverly,” a kid with the misfortune of living in the small farming town of Waverly that borders the very affluent Lexington Parrish. The AE doesn’t mix with “Waverlies.” Ever.
Desperate to get away from her oppressive friends, Sadie crashes into Hayden at a bonfire and the attraction that sparks between them is nothing short of electric. But Hayden’s an outsider and when things heat up, Sadie will be forced to choose between her friends and her new boyfriend.
Only Queen Bee Britt isn’t having it. She will not allow Sadie to cross her. Sadie can either do what Britt wants her to do or she will reveal Sadie for the PTSD freak that she is.
Sadie does some soul searching about who she is and who she wants to be. She can’t live her life like this. Not any more. One fateful night will help her see how much things have to change.
She’s determined to no longer allow the AE to rule her life. She will be strong, stand up for Ian and love who she wants in Hayden. Determined and invigorated, Sadie goes to school feeling hopeful for the first time in forever.
But, the unthinkable happens.
Shooters attack dozens of students before the two eventually take their own lives, leaving the school a decimated shadow of what it once was.
Suddenly who lives where, wears what or loves whom seems like the least of Lexington Parish’s problems as everyone and everything changes forever in the after.
IN THE AFTER by Elisa Dane is a hard-hitting and heart-warming story of tragedy, love, loss and redemption. It is recommended for readers 14+.

Goodreads / Amazon

EXCERPT:

“No! Stop it! Don’t hurt her. Mom! Mommy!”
I thrashed awake, my throat on fire, my skin cold and soaked with sweat along with my pajamas and sheets. That damn, fucking night. That final image of my mom bleeding out across our hardwood floor before the monster tied me up and locked me in the closet—it wouldn’t disappear. Burned into every deep, dark crevice of my mind, it haunted me daily, and replayed itself on an endless loop every night while I slept.
The three night lights dousing my room with a soft, warm glow, failed to provide the sense of safety and comfort they normally did and I hugged my blanket to my chest in a vain attempt to chase the chill away. My room wasn’t cold. The chill lay deep inside me in the place the darkness had taken up residence. Dying of thirst, I reached for the glass of water sitting on my nightstand.
“Sadie!”
My body seized, my arms flew up with a scream, and water rained down over everything within a five-foot radius as the glass tumbled through the air. It shattered upon impact with the wood floor. Mocha went crazy. The fur at the nape of her neck standing on end as she paced back and forth at the end of my bed, growling and barking.
Barely able to control my limbs they were shaking so badly, I floundered around for my cell phone, which had gotten lost somewhere between my sheets.
“Sadie! Let me in.” The window shook each time the attacker rammed his fist against the glass and panic spiked, a high-pitched wail blowing past my lips as I ripped apart my bedding.
I found my phone buried beneath the blanket near my feet. Dizzy and hyperventilating, I fumbled with it, repeatedly stabbing the touchscreen in a vain attempt to unlock the damn thing.
“Come on! Come on, you stupid thing.” My heart felt like it was in my throat and my chest felt like it was going to explode any minute.
“Ginger! It’s me, Hayden.”
It felt like I’d been trapped under water and was finally able to surface and take a deep breath. The thick haze of fear slowly dissipated, the fog inside my head clearing enough for me to recognize his voice. “H-Hayden?”
Hot tears trickled down my cheeks as I stumbled out of bed and made my way over to my window. I grappled with the extra locks my dad had installed when we first moved in, unable to contain the loud sob that blew past my lips when the window finally slid open.
Hayden was in my room with his arms around me before I had a chance to draw breath. “I heard you screaming and I got scared.” His body stiffened and he pulled away, his gaze scanning the room. “Did you hear something? Is that why you were screaming?” He took a step toward my bedroom door, stopping when I caught his wrist.
“It’s okay, Hayden. No one’s here. I had a nightmare.”
He stared down at me with narrowed eyes, then closed the gap between us, drawing me into his arms again. His arms felt warm and strong, the space at the center of his chest where I laid my head as though it was made for me and me alone. As if on autopilot, his hand found its favorite spot on the side of my neck, his touch both soothing and electric as he peered down at me with concern. “Nightmare? You were screaming like someone was trying to murder you.”
I flinched.
His eyes grew wide for a millisecond, realization and understanding warring for dominance behind his eyes. Thankfully, the gentleness I craved in his deep blues returned as quickly as it had left. He swept me off my feet without warning and carefully placed me on my bed, sliding between the sheets right along beside me. I rolled onto my side, my body shuddering in relief when he pulled me against him and wrapped his arm around me. “Sleep, princess. You’re safe. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
Safe. It was such a small word with such a big meaning. Lives either flourished or fell apart in search of it. I’d known the warmth of safety. Taken it for granted. Wasted the warmth and comfort that came with it like a spoiled child. I also knew the festering terror that came with the absence of safety. I walked in its darkness. Choked and smothered beneath it nightly. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever believe I would truly feel safe again. But, for reasons I couldn’t explain, that’s exactly how I felt in Hayden’s arms. Completely safe.
And so very tired. Too tired to care about my dad’s warning about talking to Hayden and letting him in the house. My lids grew heavy and I was asleep within moments.

Author Bio:
ELISA DANE is a self-proclaimed book junkie. A lover of handbags, chocolate, and reality television, she's a proud mother to three All- Star cheerleaders. Writing is her absolute passion, and it's her mission to create stories that will not only take you on a romantic journey that will warm your heart, but help you find a new respect and interest in the sport of All-Star cheerleading.
Elisa is no stranger to the publishing world. She writes steamy paranormal romance under her real name, Lisa Sanchez. Her adult works include the Hanford Park series (Eve Of Samhain, Pleasures Untold, and Faythe Reclaimed), Obsessed (an erotic suspense), and a paranormal novella, Cursing Athena. Elisa lives in Northern California with her husband, three daughters, and a feisty Chihuahua who stubbornly believes she's human.

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