Saturday, December 27, 2014

Something Reckless (Reckless & Real #1) by Lexi Ryan




Release: December 22, 2014


Blurb:


Dive into a world of secrets and temptation. Read the first novel in the sizzling Reckless and Real series from NYT bestselling author Lexi Ryan...


He talks dirty to me, but I don’t know his name.

He wants to tie me up, but I don’t know his face.

He turns me on, but I couldn’t point him out in a crowd.

I’ve fallen for an anonymous stranger, and now the anonymity ends. I want more than typed secrets and texted promises. I want something reckless. Heat. Passion. The thrill of being entirely possessed.

Because I suspect this anonymous stranger isn’t a stranger at all.


~~

Lizzy Thompson met Riverrat69 online through Something Real, a service promising to deliver meaningful relationships by forbidding its users to share names or photos until they’ve reached a certain benchmark. She was looking for love. He was researching an investment. They hit it off. Talked and flirted, hid behind screen names and cartoon avatars.

Now they’re breaking the rules and meeting in person. But Liz is prepared. She’s picked up hints and followed clues. She’s ninety-percent convinced she’s discovered the identity of her dirty-talking online friend.


She wonders if her ex-lover Sam Bradshaw knows her identity too.

When she rolls the dice on one reckless night, her chance at something real could crumble.



**SOMETHING RECKLESS is book 1 in the sizzling new Reckless and Real series and includes the prequel, SOMETHING WILD, for your convenience. Liz and Sam's story concludes in SOMETHING REAL, coming in March 2015.**

The Reckless and Real Series Includes:
SOMETHING WILD (Liz and Sam’s story begins - novella)
SOMETHING RECKLESS (Liz and Sam’s story continues)
SOMETHING REAL (Liz and Sam’s story concludes, coming March 2015)


Review:


2.5 stars

I considered giving up the book more than once, but since I received the book to write an honest review I had to finish it in case it became better and I ended up liking it. And all that before the 29th so I was in the timeline. I kind of forced myself to finish it and I can' say that I liked it much. The twist in the end was my favorite part, though it's a little gross and definitely immoral.

Liz made my top 10 of the I want to smash their head into a wall and then force something into their head since it seems empty. She isn't a blonde bimbo, but she is really stupid. If she had opened her mouth and said something I am sure the chaos that will happen in the second book, wouldn't have happened. I hated that while she wanted to learn things from Sam's past, she never said anything. And yeah Liz sweety, Connor is totally harmless. He only sees you as a friend and doesn't want to get into your pants.

About the Author:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling romance author Lexi Ryan’s novels have been
described as intense, emotional, and wickedly sexy. A former college professor, she now writes full-time from her home in Indiana, where she lives with her husband, two children, and a neurotic dog. Find her on Facebook or Twitter to chat about books, TV, and her children’s latest antics.

Friday, December 26, 2014

Blog Tour: A Necessary Sin (The Sin Trilogy #1) by Georgia Cates



Rating 5/5 stars
Release Date: Dec 29, 2014

BLURB:



Bleu MacAllister is consumed. A horrific childhood incident has caused every decision in her life to revolve around bringing a monster to justice. With years spent studying The Fellowship, an organized crime brotherhood of liars, thieves, and killers, Bleu will rely on her skills as a special agent to cut Thane Breckenridge off at the knees. But walking hand in hand with retribution means risking collateral damage, in the form of Breckenridge’s son Sinclair—until Sin becomes so much more than Bleu bargained for. She’s always known this undertaking would place her life in danger—she never imagined her heart would be as well.



The Next Sin – Release Date – Feb 9th, 2015 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20623833-the-next-sin

One Last Sin – Release Date – March 23, 2015 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20623840-one-last-sin


Review:

When I was halfway done with the book, I knew that I was going to finish the trilogy as soon as I could get my hands on the next two books. I knew what I wanted to happen, wouldn't, but I still felt that I wasn't going to be disappointed. The end left me hanging, which added to the excitement. It was bittersweet, so I will be waiting, anxiously I might add, for the second instalment.

I really hoped that somehow a man who looked a lot like Thane was the killer of Bleu's mother and not Thane himself. Maybe there is more to the story that blew doesn't know. Maybe blue should have listened to the medium more carefully.

Sin is my man. I didn't like his way sometimes, but I am close to falling for him. I didn't know if I should be rooting for Bleu's revenge or for her and Sin's relationship. I ended up rooting for the second team. I didn't like Bleu's facade, but I think that if she drops it, I will like her very much.

And as I end this review I have one request. PLEASE KILL ABRAM (or is it Abraam? I can't remember)




ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Georgia resides in rural Mississippi with her wonderful husband, Jeff, and their two beautiful daughters. She spent fourteen years as a labor and delivery nurse before she decided to pursue her dream of becoming an author and hasn’t looked back yet.

When she’s not writing, she’s thinking about writing. When she’s being domestic, she’s listening to her iPod and visualizing scenes for her current work in progress. Every story coming from her always has a song to inspire it.

Representation: All questions regarding subsidiary rights for any of my books, inquiries regarding foreign translation and film rights should be directed to Jane Dystel of Dystel & Goderich.






EXCERPTS:

Teaser #1


Sinclair Breckenridge’s POV:

“What happened to no one touching me?” Bleu asks.
Does that mean she doesn’t want me to touch her?
I release her and straighten to look at her face. “Do you want that to apply to me as well?”
“I want things to be very clear so there’s no misunderstanding between us. I won’t give my body to someone who’d fuck me in a storage room or on a desk in the office of a bar. I want to enjoy the pleasure that goes along with great sex, so I will only sleep with a man who is eager to please me. I must be able to trust that you aren’t in it only for yourself. I’ll demand more of you than any other woman ever has, and for that, I’m completely unapologetic.”
“Allow me to be clear with you. I only do what pleases me and that, Bonny Bleu, is what you can trust.”
I’m still holding her so close, we’re nose to nose. “Then I believe we’ve come to an impasse that will bring neither of us any pleasure.”




Teaser #2

Sinclair Breckenridge’s POV:

“People don’t realize the things they say without uttering a word. Something as simple as the lift in the corner of one’s mouth can reveal thoughts and emotions better than any voice. Body language—it’s nature’s crafty trick, second only to falling in love.”
“Aye. It’s a shan.”
“A shan?”
“Americans would probably use the word shame.”
“Oh. You sound like you know from experience.”
I have no experience. I’m far too intelligent for such nonsense. “When one falls in love, that person makes the decision to become vulnerable. It’s not a path I’d ever willingly choose so, no. What about you? Has Bonny Bleu ever been in love?”
“I’ve tried dating but it never matters what I do. I’m always what’s wrong.” She’s nervously twisting the ring on her thumb. “I’m able to capture other’s emotions in photos yet I can’t get a grip on my own. I avoid connecting with people. I make myself an island so it gives me an excuse to remain alone.” She sighs and looks embarrassed. “Wow. That sounded like a psychological profile … or something.”



Teaser #3

Bleu MacAllister’s POV:

“Damn, you don’t give much away.”
He’s right. I have to make myself more vulnerable. “Most men don’t appreciate hearing the word no when it comes to sex, so I thought you were skipping out on me.” I shrug. “I must confess it was a huge letdown to not see you for two days. I wondered if my demands might have been too much for you to handle or maybe I was a turnoff.”
“It’s the opposite for me. I’ve never been more turned on.”
“I’m calling bullshit.” As much as I hate to admit it, that damn Geneen was stunning—until I broke her nose. “I’ve seen the women at the bar.
Some are gorgeous and have bodies to die for. There’s no way I’m the biggest turn-on you’ve ever had.”
“Bleu. Those women are beautiful until you know them and understand their motives for being at Duncan’s. Every last one of them wants to be claimed, and they’re willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen.”
Claimed. I remember reading about this in one of the files. The Fellowship has this bizarre practice of laying claim on women they aren’t married to. “I don’t understand what you mean by claimed.”
“You don’t understand because you aren’t like them. And I like that very much.”
“I want you to tell me what it means. Is it a Scottish thing?”
“Another time, Bonny Bleu.”



Teaser #4

Sinclair Breckenridge’s POV:

“I’m in the business of boundaries and limits. I’m aware of what mine are and how far I’m willing to go to get my job accomplished. It can include lying and sometimes stealing.” I wait a moment for driving the last nail into the coffin. “And perhaps the occasional killing.”
“How do you feel when you do those things?”
“Powerful.” I purposely choose that word because it’s the one she used to describe how she felt when she brought Duff to his knees. I want her to see just how similar we are.
She watches out the window for a minute before speaking again. “Do you like the way it feels?”
I can’t lie. I get a high from it. “Very much.”
Another minute passes. “Okay.”
What? “Just … okay?”
“Would you like me to be horrified?” she asks. “I can do that if it would make you feel better or improve your opinion of me.”
She’s no fucking Pollyanna. So I guess there’s no reason for her to pretend to be. “No. Okay works for me.”
I’m not sure if I should be disturbed by her lack of appall. It feels like a double standard to be shocked by an absence of dismay.
My God, has the pot met the kettle? “I wish I could get inside your head.”
“No, you don’t,” she says. “My mind is a dark place to be.”
I think I may have met the perfect woman. In her eyes, I’m not a monster at all.



Teaser #5

Bleu MacAllister’s POV:

“You better be worth all this work and waiting.” He nips my bottom lip and gives my ass another painful squeeze before turning to walk to his car.
Anticipation—it builds excitement and suspense. The brain really is a sexual organ, even for men. Sin is going to spend the next five days and nights fantasizing about what it’ll be like when he finally has me beneath him. Waiting is something he’s never had to do so this is another way of setting me apart from the others before me. It proves I’m worth the wait and far more than just fuckworthy.

Friday, December 19, 2014

Promo Tour: Enforce by Rachel Van Dyken








There’s two sides to every story...
And ours? Isn't pretty...
Then again, what's pretty about the mafia?
Trace Rooks, that’s what.
But she only wants one of us, and I'll kill him before I let him have her.
The only problem?
We're cousins.
And she may just be our long lost enemy.
Whoever said college was hard, clearly didn't attend Eagle Elite University.
Welcome to hell also known as the Mafia where blood is thicker than life, and to keep yours? Well, keep your friends close, and your enemies?

Even closer...











 iTunes     Barnes & Noble    KOBO     Smashwords







      



Enforce/Nixon by Rachel Van Dyken from Becca the Bibliophile on Vimeo.






Enforce/Chase by Rachel Van Dyken from Becca the Bibliophile on Vimeo.


Chase 
When we reached the dorms, she began to shake. I didn’t know what to do to fix it. She reached in her purse but couldn’t seem to get her hands past the barrier of the half-opened zipper.
With a curse, I pulled out my card and swiped it across the access code for the elevator.
My hand naturally fell to her back as I gently pushed her in.
The elevator was big — but it may as well have been a shoebox. Every breath she took, every shudder that wracked her body destroyed my sanity.
I wanted to touch her.
Instead, I did the only thing I knew I could do that wouldn’t flag me as being disloyal to blood.
I stood as close as possible. My hand hovered near her skin, feeling like it was damn-near singeing from the heat her body was giving off.
When we finally made it into their room, Mo started yelling.
“He’s an ass! I know I shouldn’t defend him, but if he would have known they were your grandma’s shoes—”
I put my hand in the air. “I don’t get it. What’s so important about—”
“She’s dead, you asshole!”
Yeah. I’d forgotten that.
Like a complete jackass.
Traces face fell as more tears streamed across her plump lips.
And the pieces of the puzzle fell together. Yes, she was upset about what Nixon had done, but even when he shamed her in front of everyone it wasn’t the fact that he’d embarrassed her — it was the fact that he’d unintentionally ripped her heart out and stomped on it.
By the looks of her clothes on the first day, she didn’t have a lot of money or possessions, meaning only one thing. The shoes from her Grandma? Probably one of the only things she had of value.
With a curse, I stomped out of the room. Tex followed, eerily quiet for a guy who normally talked his ass off.
“So…” Tex shoved his hands in his pockets once we were in the safety of the elevator. “…that was—”
“Shut the hell up,” I barked and stormed out of the elevator so he wouldn’t follow me.
Tex barked out a laugh and went in the opposite direction. With shaking hands, I dialed the number to the closest supplier.
“I need your most expensive boots from the new spring collection.”
“I’d be happy to help you with your purchase, sir, but you need to know those are specific boots are—”
“Get them for me. Now. I need them by six.”
“Six?”
“In the morning,” I said slowly. “Size nine.”
“Of course, sir.”
The line went dead.
But adrenaline continued to surge through my veins. I didn’t know what else to do except sit outside the dorms and wait until the boots arrived.
So that’s exactly what I did.
I sat in the shadows and waited. By the time five-thirty rolled around, I got another phone call, and the boots were delivered into my hands by one of my associates.
I wanted to put them at her door. I wanted to be the guy to apologize, and I wasn’t doing it on Nixon’s behalf. No, I was doing it for me.
Cursing the Mafia the entire way up to her floor, I clenched the boots in my hand and went to her room.
I’d written a note.
It was lame.
Who wrote notes? It was like I’d reverted to middle school, but I wanted to do something special, something extra. Hell, after that shitty day, I should have put a bottle of wine in one of the boots with a sedative.
I raised my hand to knock. Visions of Trace opening the door filled my head. She’d, of course, give me a hug, invite me in. Maybe it would be the start of our relationship. I’d slowly slink into her life and we’d… what? What exactly would happen?
She wasn’t one of us. She didn’t belong in our world.
I put my hand down and stared at the door.
Our future was over before it had even begun.
“Chase?” A female called out my name. “Is that you?”
I turned to the left where Molly, a past booty-call stood wearing nothing but a long tight t-shirt and a smile.
“Yeah.” I looked away.
“You wanna come over for a bit?”
No. I didn’t.
I wanted to knock on the door.
But instead of knocking, and potentially ruining a girl’s life, a girl already on her road to ruination, I stepped back and shook my head.
“Maybe another time, Molly.”
As my footsteps echoed across the floor, I wondered. One day, would I look back on this moment? And wish… I would have knocked?






Elite:



Elect:

Entice:
 B&N

Elicit: 


BANG BANG:

 B&N





Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she's not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.

She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband and their snoring Boxer, Sir Winston Churchill. She loves to hear from readers! You can follow her writing journey at 
www.rachelvandykenauthor.com









a Rafflecopter giveaway





Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Promo Tour: Enforce by Rachel Van Dyken











There’s two sides to every story...
And ours? Isn't pretty...
Then again, what's pretty about the mafia?
Trace Rooks, that’s what.
But she only wants one of us, and I'll kill him before I let him have her.
The only problem?
We're cousins.
And she may just be our long lost enemy.
Whoever said college was hard, clearly didn't attend Eagle Elite University.
Welcome to hell also known as the Mafia where blood is thicker than life, and to keep yours? Well, keep your friends close, and your enemies?

Even closer...

 

 iTunes     Barnes & Noble    KOBO     Smashwords



      



Enforce/Nixon by Rachel Van Dyken from Becca the Bibliophile on Vimeo.

Enforce/Chase by Rachel Van Dyken from Becca the Bibliophile on Vimeo.






NIXON:

I held out my hand to help her up.
She eyed it like it was the plague.
I couldn’t blame her.
Reluctantly, she took it, and I used the opportunity to pull her into my arms and carry her down the hall.
She gasped, and then the fight left her as she leaned her wet head against my chest.
And suddenly everything clicked into place.
It felt so right, having her in my arms, protecting her. I was half-tempted to growl “mine,” as professors watched us walk down the hall. I’d deal with them later, what the hell? A girl gets bullied that bad, and they’d just watched, sipping their coffee like it had been a normal occurrence. Assholes.
Trace’s hand pressed against my chest.
My breath hitched. I fought to keep the moan in. Touch from girls had always been something I loathed because it always seemed like there was a selfish reason behind it. They wanted to be screwed, they wanted to say they’d been with me, or they wanted my money. It was never what was behind the mask of Nixon Abandonato, but what I could offer them.
Touch had been made worse when I was little.
My father used to beat me within an inch of my life, making me shy away from any sort of human contact. Could you blame me for not wanting to show weakness? It just seemed better to hate touch — to hate pity, to hate everything — than show that it was actually a huge chink in my armor. The longer her hand stayed there, the warmer I felt, as if the heat from her palm was cracking through the ice, reaching into my chest and massaging my heart back to life.
Thump, thump, thump. It picked up speed, like it had been starved for years and was finally getting fed.














Elite:



Elect:

Entice:
 B&N

Elicit: 


BANG BANG:

 B&N






Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she's not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.

She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband and their snoring Boxer, Sir Winston Churchill. She loves to hear from readers! You can follow her writing journey at 
www.rachelvandykenauthor.com









a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Promo Tour: Enforce By Rachel Van Dyken










There’s two sides to every story...
And ours? Isn't pretty...
Then again, what's pretty about the mafia?
Trace Rooks, that’s what.
But she only wants one of us, and I'll kill him before I let him have her.
The only problem?
We're cousins.
And she may just be our long lost enemy.
Whoever said college was hard, clearly didn't attend Eagle Elite University.
Welcome to hell also known as the Mafia where blood is thicker than life, and to keep yours? Well, keep your friends close, and your enemies?

Even closer...



 
 iTunes     Barnes & Noble    KOBO     Smashwords

 


     


Enforce/Nixon by Rachel Van Dyken from Becca the Bibliophile on Vimeo.






Enforce/Chase by Rachel Van Dyken from Becca the Bibliophile on Vimeo.






CHAPTER 1:
Enforce
(Elite from  Nixon/Chase’s POV)
Nixons POV
Chapter One
Nixon
            I watched as the parade of cars made their way through the black iron gates, as if somehow those gates would protect them if the country went to war. Funny, they had no clue that the war—Lucifer himself, was already parading around inside, safe from the police- the feds- anyone who would be a threat.
            Safe from everyone but me.
            My eyes flickered to Phoenix on my right, he grinned as a new girl walked up to him and gave him a flirty wave.
            I elbowed him hard in the ribs.
            His grin turned sour as he glared at the girl and flipped her off.
            Remember your place.
            I’d said it once, twice, a million times to the guys, and they were still struggling with the idea that they weren’t here to go to school, they weren’t here to make friends. We weren’t at peace. We were in a freaking war zone.
            And Phoenix’s family was our only key to redemption.
            “That seems to be the last of them.” Chase’s cool gaze surveyed the main road that led into campus. It was easier on security to have one road in and one road out. Too bad life wasn’t that convenient.
            If someone didn’t belong—it would take us minutes, scratch that, seconds to eliminate them, their family, all while making it look like a very unfortunate accident.
            “Wait,” Tex squinted towards the iron gates, “I think there’s one more car.”
            “The hell there is.” I muttered, “I counted the cars, I’ve looked at the lists, we aren’t missing anyone.”
            Chase yanked the list out of my hand and started reading through the names of all the freshman enrollees. His grin made me about lose my shit as he lifted his head and handed back the paper.
            “I hear Wyoming’s beautiful this time of year.”
            “What?” I jerked the list away and started greedily reading through the names.
            One stood out.
            Trace Rooks, Female, 18, Casper, Wyoming.
            “Great.” I dropped the list onto the ground and smirked, “A girl who probably smells like cow shit. What’s her background?”
            Nobody answered.
            I said it louder, this time grinding my teeth together.
            Tex was the first to answer, “We couldn’t really find any.”
            “Couldn’t. Really. Find. Any.” I repeated. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
            “Look,” Tex shook his head, “We have Sergio on it, but the girl doesn’t really have a lot of information about her. Parents dead, Grandma dead, Grandpa her only living relative and somehow her social as well as her birth certificate were both lost.”
            “Lost.” I licked my lips. I told my head not to go there, told my heart to stay in my damn chest and stop hoping as images flooded my mind. Dark hair, dark eyes, “Nixon, I’ll save you.”
            “Dude, you okay?” Chase elbowed me.
            “Let’s go welcome her to Eagle Elite.”
            Nobody moved.
            “I said,” I started marching towards the girls dorms, “Let’s go welcome her.”
            “Why do I have a feeling this is a really bad idea?” Tex said under his breath.
            “For once, Tex, keep your mouth shut and stay in the background, paste a shit eating grin on your face and let me and Chase deal with this. Do you think you can do that? Hmm?”
            “Take a Xanax.” Phoenix grumbled.
            I sent a seething glare in his direction.
            He mumbled a curse and walked off with Tex to wait by the tree while we continued the next few feet to the girls dorms.
            The car was a rental.
            The grandpa was ancient.
            The girl was…young.
            And she had shit as belongings. Her suitcase was covered with stickers, her grandpa handed her a small box, and I could have sworn I saw a tear escape her eye and roll down her smooth cheek.
            “Hell no.” I grumbled, “She’ll be destroyed here.”
            “Won’t last five minutes.” Chase agreed.
            “Tears.” I wiped my face with my hands, “Tell me I’m not seeing tears.”
            “Girls don’t cry here.”
            “They
don’t.” I agreed.
            “She isn’t like them.”
            “No.”
            “We need Mo.”
            I laughed at that, “We need a miracle.” With a curse, I quickly dialed the number for orientation and made arrangements for the New Girl to be moved to the United States room. Mo was supposed to be on that same floor. I figured she needed all the help she could get. No way would little Wyoming survive the year with anyone else, not that I was happy about it. I mean in hindsight that was probably my first mistake.
            I’d officially invited her into my life—by way of my sister.
            “New girls here.” I said loud enough for Tracey to turn around and gape. So squeaky clean and innocent. Like a little lamb, right, Chase?” I tilted my head and offered her a smirk.
            The old man reached in his jacket. It was a move I knew well. Another clue. He wasn’t what he said he was. He wasn’t who he said he was. As if noticing my calculating glare, he removed his hand and offered a forced smile, “A welcoming committee? This place sure is nice.”
            I had to respect his control. The way he protectively stood in front of Tracey as if he was the only thing standing in the way of my devouring her.
            “Is there a problem?” He scratched his head, causing his shirt sleeve to fall, revealing a small tattoo. One I’d seen as a child but couldn’t place.
            “Do I know you?” I blurted.
            He laughed, “Know any farmers out in Wyoming?”
            It was his tone that convinced me, the way his shook his head slightly, waiting for my challenge. It was the same look my Uncle gave me when he wanted me to stop pushing.
            It was the look that my dad taught me when I was ten and witnessed my first torture.
            The girl was still staring at us. Easy target. I’d leave the old man alone, he reminded me too much of mine. And I didn’t need that reminder, not now.
            I lifted my arms and stretched lazily.
            The girls eyes went wide as she stared at my body.
            Chase hit me in the stomach.
            I sauntered forward and tilted her chin towards me, closing her mouth in the process. “Much better,” I licked my lips and fought the urge to kiss her. Yeah, I was losing my shit. “We’d hate for our charity case to choke on an insect on her first day.” Her lips trembled as she looked from me to her Grandpa. I released her before she could do anything, and walked past, with Chase in tow.
            I needed to talk to the girl at registration anyways. We disappeared behind the building, but I’d be back. I just needed the Grandpa to leave.
            Within seconds the rental car was driving away. And the girl as all mine. My heart thudded against my chest, and for a second, I regretted what I was about to do.
            But every possible outcome ended with either her death, or her in danger. And for some reason, I didn’t want someone like her at Eagle Elite. She didn’t belong in my world.
            She deserved a picket fence.
             A husband.
            A good college experience without classmates who’d rather see her commit suicide then survive the next four years.
            They would destroy her.
            And she would make it so damn easy to do so.
            The only way—was to beat them to it. To be the first, marking her as our target, our play-thing.
            Nobody messed with what was mine.
            And in the end, nobody would mess with her. They’d allow me to entertain them with her innocence. I’d dangle her in front of them like a carrot, and at the end of the day, she’d be untouchable.
            I sighed as she looked up at the building gaping like someone who’d been homeschooled and never seen a sky scraper before.
            She was too skinny.
            I made a mental note to get her one of my access cards—she didn’t need to know how much they cost—or that every single student at EE would kill to have one. Mo would take care of the rest.
            She’d eat with us.
            She’d want for nothing.
            It was the least I could do after what I was about to make her endure.
            Licking my lips I approached her again, this time, damning myself to hell with each step I took. “Are you lost?”
            “Nope.” She grinned, damn it made her prettier. “Apparently I live in the United States.” With a shrug she tried and failed to lift her heavy suitcase and nearly toppled over onto her cute ass.
            I muffled a laugh, knowing that Chase was doing the exact same thing. Being mean to her would be like kicking a puppy. But the world was ugly. I just hated that I would be her tutor in the ways of reality—her prince of darkness.
            Damn, I would have done anything to be the hero.
            “I’m Nixon.” I stood directly in front of her, shifting my eyes from her poorly fitting clothes to her ugly shoes.
            “Tracey, but everyone calls me Trace.” She held out her hand.
            I itched to touch it.
            To touch her skin.
            Instead, I scowled, shook her hand, then wiped that same hand on my jeans as if she was diseased.
            “Rules.”
            “What?” She took a step back.
            Chase moved past me, “He’s right. As cute as you are, Farm Girl, someone needs to tell you the rules.”
            Her gaze narrowed, “Can it be fast?”
            Yeah, again, I almost lost my mind. Chase was probably ready to shit his pants. The last person that talked back to him was Phoenix and that ended with a few broken bones and a trip to the dentist.
            “You hear that Chase?” I said amused, “She likes it fast.”
            “Pity,” Chase took a step closer, nearly touching her with his body, “I’d like to give it to her slow.” His eyes raked her in, as if she was the first girl he’d ever seen in his entire existence. Jealousy surged through me. What he hell? She wasn’t’ his. Not that she was mine, but still. He was standing too close, too close.
            “The rules.” He stepped back. My heart beat returned to normal, “No speaking to the Elect, unless you’ve been asked to speak to them.” He circled around her staring a little long at her ass before he continued.
            “Who are the--“
            “—Nope. You’ve already broken a rule. I’m speaking New Girl.” Chase smirked. “Geez, Nixon, this one’s going to be hard to break in.”
            “They always are.” I said without taking my eyes from her, “But I think I’ll enjoy this one.” The first true thing I’d said. I would enjoy it too much. I’d enjoy her too much, because she reminded me of someone I used to know. Someone who offered to save me, when I was already past saving, someone who wiped my tears, and cried as if they were her own.
            Chase continued with the rules. Making me sicker as her face continued to fall.
            Finally she asked, “Is that all?”
            “No.” Raw desire pulsed through me as I approached her, needing to touch her, needing to make sure she was real even though I knew I was acting like a complete and utter lunatic. Chase and I would have words later. He knew me better than I knew myself sometimes. I was going too far, pushing myself, pushing him.
            My hand caressed her face, then moved down her smooth neck to her shoulder. I wanted to claim her, to possess her, to make her scream—but not with fear, with utter ecstasy. I had no idea who she was, but she made me want. And that was the problem.
            For the first time in years. I wanted.
            I wasn’t allowed to want.
            I had to die to myself.
            Because in the grand scheme of things? It wasn’t about me. It was about blood, family, protection. Blood in, blood out.
            Her eyes dilated. Furious that she’d reacted so easily, upset with myself for making my own body suffer, I snapped.
            “You feel this? Memorize it now, because as of this moment, you can’t touch us. We are untouchable. If you as much as sneeze in our direction, if you as much breathe the same air in my atmosphere. I will make your life hell. This touch, what you feel against your skin, will be the only time you feel another human being as powerful as me near you. So like I said, feel it, remember it, and maybe one day, your brain will do you the supreme favor of forgetting what it felt like to have someone like me touching you. Then, and only then, will you be able to be happy with some mediocre boyfriend and pathetic life.” Away from me. Away from it all. Safe.
            A few more tears escaped down her cheek.
            And I knew in that moment. It was the beginning of the end.
            My end.
            My downfall.
            My demise.











Elite:



Elect:

Entice:
 B&N

Elicit: 


BANG BANG:

 B&N






Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she's not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.

She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband and their snoring Boxer, Sir Winston Churchill. She loves to hear from readers! You can follow her writing journey at 
www.rachelvandykenauthor.com






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Elite:



Elect:

Entice:
 B&N

Elicit: 


BANG BANG:

 B&N






Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she's not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.

She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband and their snoring Boxer, Sir Winston Churchill. She loves to hear from readers! You can follow her writing journey at 
www.rachelvandykenauthor.com






a Rafflecopter giveaway