Review: Paxton's Promise by L.P. Dover

Title: Paxton's Promise
Series: A Gloves Off Novel
Author: L.P. Dover
Publication: December 29th, 2014
Rating: 5/5 Stars

Synopsis

She hates him, yet she can’t get him out of her mind. 

Female Bantamweight fighter, Gabriella Reynolds, has a bad habit of falling for forbidden fighters. Enter Paxton Emerson. He’s tall, tattooed, and the current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. Everyone wants a piece of him, and he only has eyes for her. Through no choice of her own, she’s fallen in his debt and he’s now demanding payment. Too bad it doesn’t involve currency. Gabby’s decision to fulfill her promise to him ultimately brings out her true feelings, but also spurs the unwanted attention of another. 

Rage’s fixation on his newest obsession reaches dangerous levels. Unfortunately, Paxton Emerson has become a roadblock to his end goal and needs to be removed from the equation—by any means necessary. 

Gabby will do anything to save Pax, but what happens when she’s the one who needs saving?


Review

Paxton's Promise was flat out fan-freaking-tastic!!!!  LP doesn't know how to disappoint.  This has to be one of my all time favorite series.  Each book, I get to see characters in LP's previous books from this series that.  I love being able to see characters again that I loved.  Got some Mason time in this one!!!  Here I go gushing!!!!  Can't help it when I love a book!!!  Anyway, Paxton's Promise was another knockout by the wonderful L.P. Dover.  The way she weaves a story together and sets up each detail to unfold is absolutely fantastic.  I think we all have been waiting on Paxton's and Gabriella's story!!!  I definitely have been!!!  This story was told through both of their POVs.  I love being in my fighters heads!!! All of them!!!  

Gabriella was the main female character.  As I said earlier, I was very happy to finally get her story!!!  Gabriella is one of those female characters that we all love and connect with.  She will do anything, and I mean anything, to protect the ones she loves. She has done that several times, but what she did to protect Paxton, showed how much she truly loved him.  She is very fierce and stubborn, but loyal.  Paxton was the main male lead.  In previous books, I could tell he had a thing for Gabby.  In this book, he did what he had to do to get her.  He also did the unbelievable to protect her. Paxton was always a nice guy, but started hanging with the wrong group.  He got out when it got bad, but that reputation stuck with him.  They don't call him the Reaper for nothing.  Camden made an appearance in this book.  Camden still is going down the wrong path, but I seriously think he wants out.  He just doesn't know how to get out.  I can't wait for Camden to get his own story!!!  He is one character that I have been wanting to learn and read about.

Paxton's Promise was an enthralling read from start to finish. I could not put this book down once I started.  I absolutely have grown to love these characters.  I have been reading about them for so long it feels like, that they have become my book family.  I never want to say goodbye to them.  I can't wait for LP's next book in The Gloves Off series which will be about Camden!!! Paxton's Promise is a MUST read!!!!  I highly recommend this book to everyone!!!!  Grab it now!!!!

Release Day Blitz: Protecting Fiona by Susan Stoker

Protecting Fiona (book 3 in the SEAL of Protection Series) by Susan Stoker

Release Date: December 29, 2014

SYNOPSIS:

Cookie "Hunter" Knox was good at his job, infiltrating behind enemy lines was one of his specialties. His SEAL team relied on him to do his job, just as he relied on them to do theirs. Ever since two of his teammates found a woman that completed them, their dangerous Ops seemed a bit more intense. Cookie knew if he had a woman who belonged to him, he'd never let her go. Little did he know the SEAL team's latest mission to Mexico would change his life forever.

Fiona Storme resigned herself to the fact that it was highly unlikely she would make it out of the jungle alive. Kidnapped by human traffickers, abused, and without family or friends looking for her, Fiona knew wishing for rescue was as realistic as having a big, juicy hamburger fall from the sky. Unbeknownst to Fiona, the SEAL team, including Cookie, were on the way, but their assignment didn't consist of rescuing her.

**Protecting Fiona is the 3rd book in the SEAL of Protection Series. It can be read as a stand-alone, but it's recommended you read the books in order to get maximum enjoyment out of the series.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23563295-protecting-fiona?from_search=true

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Protecting-Fiona-SEAL-Protection-Book-ebook/dp/B00PIAS4GO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1419733491&sr=8-1&keywords=protecting+fiona

SEAL of Protection buy Links

Protecting Caroline, SEAL of Protection, Book 1
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1nyGCUq
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1rODFWY
Amazon UA: http://bit.ly/1mhWteJ
Paperback: http://amzn.to/1BMZuaH

Protecting Alabama, SEAL of Protection, Book 2

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/ZBxTuE

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1CHEQqM

Amazon UA: http://bit.ly/1uazsed

Paperback: http://amzn.to/1tD3FyJ

Protecting Fiona, SEAL of Protection, Book 3

Coming Dec 29^th PRE ORDER LINKS

Pre-order links:
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/14hslZg
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1v2EVal

Susan Stoker has a heart as big as the state of Texas where she lives but this all American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, and Indiana. She is quite the romantic and even met the love of her life on "Hotmail classified" before online dating and sites like match.com even existed!

Susan has been reading romance novels since middle school and once crossed out the names of the main characters in a book and changed them to her own and to the name of her crush. She's been writing scenes for years, developing her unique writing style.

Susan loves writing but her true passion is adopting dogs from rescue groups and shelters. Susan and her husband have had a total of nine "rescued" dogs since 2000 including a variety of basset hounds and bloodhounds. She has recently branched out and adopted a basset/terrier mix who acts more like a terrier than a basset (i.e. digging, eating a couch and being hyper).

If you enjoyed this book, or any book, please consider leaving a review.

Discover other titles by Susan Stoker

Beyond Reality Series:

Outback Hearts

Flaming Hearts

Connect with Susan Online:

Susan’s Facebook Profile and Page:

www.facebook.com/authorsstoker

www.facebook.com/authorsusanstoker

Follow Susan on Twitter:

Susan_Stoker

Find Susan’s Books on Goodreads

www.goodreads.com/SusanStoker

Release Day Blitz: eXcess Anthology

Title: eXcess Anthology

Author: K.M. Scott, CJ Roberts, Pam Godwin, AL Daltrey, Ella Dominguez, Scott Hildreth, Marc Nobbs, Gina Whitney and Adriane LeighGenre: Erotic Romance

Hosted by: Lady Amber's Tours

9 New York Times, USA Today & Amazon Bestselling Authors bring you some of the steamiest romance novels for one low price. 

K.M. Scott — Temptation— Cassian March gave up on love, but his sexy new assistant Olivia might just change his mind. Will they give in to temptation at Club X, or will they let their fears keep them from finding love? 

Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads * Amazon

CJ Roberts— Captive in the Dark — This New York Times Bestseller is the story of a young woman kidnapped and held hostage by a human trafficker out for revenge. Gritty, violent, and not for the faint of heart. 18+ Heed all warnings. 

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Pam Godwin — Beneath The Burn — Amid corruption and power, rock stars and drugs, Jay and Charlee must face their worst fears. When the battle is over, what will be left...Beneath The Burn. 

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Al Daltrey — Testing The Submissive — Abby stood nervously before her Master, having to recount in exact detail the proceedings of her last whipping. How far will he push her with these tests, and what will happen when she’s pushed too far? 

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Ella Dominguez — Grace Street — Cold and calculating, Victor has found the next victim on his to-do-list. But Elsa proves to be an infuriating challenger when she flips the tables on his selfish and twisted game - a game they both may end up losing their hearts and minds over. 

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Scott Hildreth — Undefeated — While Shane Dekkar fights in the boxing ring, Kace Meadows fights for her life. After ten years in an abusive relationship she is ready to escape and does so with the help of an unlikely hero. Undefeated is a story about the realities abuse, the aftermath of abuse and learning how to love again. 

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Marc Nobbs — The Big Four Ohhh! — When Dave Cartwright comes across a local newspaper ad offering twenty-seven inches of Prime British Beef, it plants the seed of an idea which leads to a unique celebration of his wife’s upcoming fortieth birthday. And a night that both of them will never, ever forget. 

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Gina Whitney — Saving Abel — Abel Gunner, lead singer of Lethal Abel and Gia must face their demons before they can embrace a future together. In the end they're faced with two choices: fight for their love or die with their demons. 

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Adriane Leigh — Wild — An independent woman, a controlling man, and one wild one-night stand… Desire and temptation smolder before she succumbs to her darkest fantasies with the captivating stranger. Kat Kenndedy doesn’t expect to see Lane Wild again after an explosive one-night stand leaves her breathless and craving more, but just like lightning in the darkness, he shows up in her life at the most unpredictable moments.

Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads * Amazon

Buy Links

                                      

Kobo: http://smarturl.it/eXcess-Kobo 

*Page Foundry (intera): 

http://smarturl.it/eXcess-PF

*Scribd 

http://smarturl.it/eXcess-Scrbd

*Amazon http://smarturl.it/eXcess-AMZ

*B&N http://smarturl.it/eXcess-BN

*ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id952946526

Release Day Blitz: Drake Restrained 4 by S.E. Lund

Title: Drake Restrained 4

Author: S.E. Lund

Genre: New Adult, Erotic, Contemporary RomanceHosted by: Lady Amber's Tours

Blurb:

  

Drake Morgan, MD, Neurosurgeon, bass player, philanthropist – Dominant.

He doesn't do girlfriends, he doesn’t do sleepovers, and he certainly doesn't do breakfast in bed the morning after. He has his surgical slate at New York Presbyterian, he has a charitable foundation providing surgical tools to hospitals in Africa, he has his Brit Invasion cover band, Mersey, and he has his secret life as a Dominant in Manhattan's BDSM community.

Into bondage, D/s and the occasional dungeon scene, Drake keeps every part of his life separate, the divisions between them neat and tidy. His weeks are filled with surgeries, music and D/s sex, and none of the well-planned and scheduled parts of his life intersect.

That is until Kate McDermott crosses his path and screws everything up. Now, nothing is neat and tidy anymore, for Drake is smitten and things are going to get messy…

In Part 4 of Drake Restrained, Drake and Kate reunite in Manhattan and begin an affair in secret, pushing their sexual and emotional boundaries.

***Note*** This is a novella, and is part 4 of the Drake Series. The Drake Series is The Unrestrained Series told from Drake's point of view. The novella contains new material and material from The Agreement told from Drake's point of view.

The series is intended for 18+ due to explicit content.

S. E. Lund lives with her family of humans and animals in a small city in Western Canada in an old house on a quiet tree-lined street. Besides writing erotic, contemporary and paranormal romance, she writes science fiction and fantasy, science fact, advocates for climate action, plays piano and dreams of living in a warm climate by the ocean. 

Author Links:

Website: www.selund.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/S-E-Lund/429361230440603

Twitter:  @elizal2012

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6426012.S_E_Lund

               

I rose up and went to an armoire, sorting through my belts, testing them one after the other, but I was unhappy with them all. The leather was too thick and unyielding. She’d get abrasions from them if she tugged too much on them in the heat of the moment. Then I examined a hanger with several ties on it, selecting a black leather tie. It was supple enough that it wouldn’t chafe. I returned to the bed and held it out in front of her so she could see it. Thin and flexible, it was from a bygone fashion era. I caught her grin as I examined it and turned to face her.

"Ms. Bennet, that grin is entirely inappropriate to the mood I'm trying to create…"

She covered her mouth, trying to hide a huge smile. "Master, I'm sorry," she said, her voice betraying amusement. "But I was imagining you wearing it when you were a college student… So hip with your thin leather tie. I bet the coeds were all over you."

"Oh, I was very groovy, Ms. Bennet, in my day," I said, grinning back at her, enjoying her impertinence despite my best attempts to get her to take this seriously.

To bring her back into scene, I took her hands very roughly in mine and held them over her head, my grip firm, my expression as stern as I could muster given my own amusement.

"You are too cute, Katherine, and able to distract me too well, but I want you to focus on what I'm doing here and now."

Her eyes widened, the smile fading on her face. I didn’t want to scare her, but I wanted her in the right headspace. She had to take this seriously if it was going to work. It couldn’t become a joke. It was serious.

"I'm sorry, Master," she said, her voice barely a whisper.

I stared into her eyes, trying to impart as much dominance as I could. "If your mind wanders, I'll have to bring you back with me,” I said. “I want you here, with me, mentally and emotionally, Kate. With me in the moment. Focused."

She nodded but said nothing and I hoped I hadn’t gone too far too soon. She was being disciplined through my showing her my displeasure at her attitude. I kept my eyes on hers, waiting to see compliance in them.

She breathed in deeply beneath me and I saw her physically relax, her body going limp.

"Good girl," I said. I held her hands above her head with one hand and reached down to touch her bottom lip with a finger, stroking the tiny scar there. How I’d imagined kissing her lips, licking that scar…

Then I leaned down and kissed her deeply, passionately, my lust and need for her almost overwhelming. She let out a little groan when I ground myself against her pussy. I pulled away and fastened her hands together with the leather tie, the knot tight but with some space so that there was no pressure on her skin.

"Test them. Feel them. They won't get any tighter than that, no matter what you do. I've used a special knot, so don't worry. They should be fine no matter how you pull on them. But if they do get tighter, tell me right away if it becomes painful in a way you can't tolerate."

She nodded and tried to pull her wrists apart. I fastened the other end of the leather tie to one of the spindles in the headboard. There wasn't much give. She pulled at the tie to feel how secure it was. She wouldn't be able to get free if she wanted to. Truly confined now, she was here until I released her.

She couldn't run away.

I saw the transformation in her. I always looked for it the first time I tied up my new subs—that moment when they realized they were at my complete mercy. It was subtle, just a change in breathing, a look in their eyes when their helplessness finally hit home. Kate panicked a bit when the reality of her bindings became real to her. Her eyes widened in surprise, and she starting breathing fast. I placed my hand around her neck to check her pulse, which was elevated, watching her intently.

"Now you understand,"

Review: Weighted by Ciara Knight

Title: Weighted (Novella 0.5)
Series: The Neumarian Chronicles
Author: Ciara Knight
Published: August 2012
Pages: 42
Rating: 5/5 Stars

Synopsis

The Great War of 2185 is over, but my nightmare has just begun. I am being held captive in the Queen’s ship awaiting interrogation. My only possible ally is the princess, but I’m unsure if she is really my friend or a trap set by the Queen to fool me into sharing the secret of my gift. A gift I keep hidden even from myself. It swirls inside my body begging for release, but it is the one thing the Queen can never discover. Will I have the strength to keep the secret? I’ll know the answer soon. If the stories are true about the interrogators, I’ll either be dead or a traitor to my people by morning. 


Review

Wow, wow, wow!!!  Weighted took me completely by surprise.  This book was dark, edgy and full of suspense.  It was needed though.  It was great to get that back story of what really happened with Raeth and Semara when they first met.  I have grown to love these two characters and couldn't believe the torture both of them have went through. It was so horrible and so sad.   Weighted is told through Raeth's POV which is all kinds of awesome, because I love her as a character, and after reading Escapement, I wanted to know what happened to her during that time. To also understand what all she went through and be able to connect with her on a deeper level.

Raeth is captured by the Queen and tortured until the queen gets the info she is searching for.  Raeth will not betray her people so suffers the consequences.  This is where we see her lose her leg and and the many different devices used to torture her.  Semara is always there afterward nursing her and telling her to fight.  Raeth debates on whether to trust her or not since Semara is the Queen's daughter.  Semara gets knocked around every time she is caught with Raeth.  But she never shows the pain.  So they bond over this, and Semara hatches up an escape plan in hopes that Raeth will live.  And boy oh boy, what Ryder does to save his sister!!!  WOW!!!

Weighted was a riveting story that had me completely hooked from the very first page.  I had to finish this book as soon as it started, because I had to know what happened.  I am now able to connect with the characters more, because I now understand what they went through.  This book left me so many feels.  I highly recommend this novella!!!!  It is a MUST read!!!  I suggest it is read after Escapement!!!!

Blog Tour: Addiction by Angela McPherson: Review

Title: Addiction
Book Two in the Distraction Series
Author: Angela McPherson

Genres: New Adult/College Contemporary Romance

Published: December 9 2014

Untold Press www.untoldpress.com

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Synopsis

Elle apart. Passion and heat explode as the two finally discover what they’ve been missing, needing, wanting for so long.

When Tristan and Elle return home for Christmas break, the two are gifted with a few unexpected surprises. Heather, Elle’s sister, has come home and even better, she's now clean and sober. During this time, Tristan and his dad manage to work through their strained relationship, finding compromise and understanding. For the couple, everything is coming together—until circumstances change, threatening their newfound happiness.

Love is an addiction both craved, but when devastating secrets are revealed, Elle pushes Tristan away. He won't let go. She can't hold on. Is their love strong enough to keep them together? Falling in love was never an issue, but for Tristan and Elle, falling apart may be.

Book 2 of the Distraction Series is a new adult/college romance short novel. 

Cover Reveal: Forever His Baby by Morgana Phoenix

Title: Forever His Baby

Author: Morgana Phoenix 

Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Cover Designer: Airicka’s Mystical Creations

Expected Release Date: Dec. 22, 2014

Hosted by: Lady Amber's Tours

Blurb:

Two brothers. One impossible choice

From the moment her suspicions are confirmed, Lily knows she’s screwed. What the hell is a nineteen year old with no future going to do with a baby? She can barely take care of herself. She needs help.

In walks Sloan McClain, the only man Lily has ever truly wanted — and the brother of the boy whose baby she’s carrying. While Lily expects a great number of outcomes when she tells Sloan her news, him proposing marriage and asking her to keep the baby is not one of them, especially not when she has every intention of giving the baby a better future by giving it the home she can’t.

Having spent the majority of his life protecting his brother from the bone-breaking fists of their father, Sloan is no stranger to hardship, loss and abandonment. He has learned long ago never to rely on anyone to take care of what was his, and that baby is his. He isn’t about to let Lily give away his family, nor can he allow that child to destroy the future he has built for Cole. His only option: marry the mother and claim the baby as his.

But no secret ever stays hidden forever.

International Bestselling author Airicka Phoenix lives in a world where unicorns, fairies and mermaids run amok through her home on a daily basis. When she’s not chasing after pixies and rounding up imps, also known as her four children, she can be found conjuring up evil villains, bad-ass heroines and swoon-worthy heroes to play with. 

Airicka is singlehandedly responsible for her greatly anticipated collections, 

the Touch Saga, The Lost Girl Duology, The Regeneration Series, Games of Fire & Betraying Innocence. She also writes mature paranormal & contemporary romance under the dark guise of Morgana Phoenix. To date, she is responsible for the Sons of Judgment Saga, My Soul For You, & Kissing Trouble.

Author Links:

Website: www.AirickaPhoenix.com 

Newsletter: 

http://eepurl.com/VgLqD

LinkedIn: 

ca.linkedin.com/pub/airicka-phoenix/40/432/74/

Facebook:

Airicka: 

https://www.facebook.com/airicka.phoenix

Airicka Author Page: 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Airicka-Phoenix/252135634831614

Morgan Author Page: 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Morgana-Phoenix/148839731972606

Airicka's Mystical Creations: 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Airickas-Mystical-Creations/462373910480084

The Dark Realm: 

https://www.facebook.com/TheDarkCourt

The Touch Saga Page: 

https://www.facebook.com/TouchSeriesByAirickaPhoenix

Twitter: 

https://twitter.com/AirickaPhoenix (@AirickaPhoenix)

https://twitter.com/AirickaPhoenix  (@Morgana_Phoenix)

Goodreads:

Airicka: https://www.goodreads.com/AirickaPhoenix

Morgana: 

https://www.goodreads.com/MorganaPhoenix

Google+

Airicka: 

https://plus.google.com/u/0/101248439681101533712

Morgana: 

https://plus.google.com/115636000442414081509

Booktropolous: 

https://booktropoloussocial.com/index.php?do=/profile-941/

Book Pages:

Amazon.com: 

http://www.amazon.com/Airicka-Phoenix/e/B00906AGHM

Amazon.ca: 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Airicka-Phoenix/e/B00906AGHM

Amazon.de: 

http://www.amazon.de/Airicka-Phoenix/e/B00906AGHM

Amazon.fr: 

http://www.amazon.fr/Airicka-Phoenix/e/B00906AGHM

Amazon.jp: 

http://www.amazon.co.jp/Airicka-Phoenix/e/B00906AGHM

Barns & Nobles: 

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/airicka-phoenix

iTunes: 

https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/airicka-phoenix/id562768863

Scribd: 

http://www.scribd.com/airicka6phoenix

Inktera: 

http://www.inktera.com

        

Book Blitz: The Lebrus Stone by Mirian KhanGenre

Title: The Lebrus Stone

Author: Miriam KhanGenre: YA Paranormal Romance

Hosted by: Lady Amber's Tours

Blurb:

When eighteen-year-old orphan, Crystal Valdez, accepts an invitation to the small town of Blacksville, West Virginia, she hopes to have a summer to remember and a chance to learn more about her parents, to also get to know the family she never knew existed.

But the Lockes begin to act strange and erratic; eerie movements in the night fuel her vivid and gruesome nightmares. To complicate her summer further, she becomes attracted to the menacing yet handsome Cray Locke: her none blood related cousin.

He seems determined to keep his distance. The only bonus to her trip seems to be the housekeeper and gardener.

And when a local informs Crystal of the secrets buried at Thorncrest Manor, the kind consisting of a forbidden relationship and a war between hidden worlds, and witchcraft, she must decide whom to trust. Even if it means leaving behind those she has come to love.

“I was compelled to keep reading. It was brilliant.”

"I can't put my finger on it. But there is something about Crystal that makes you want to keep reading her story. I ate a whole bag of Haribos whilst reading the first few chapters without realising. I was that engrossed."

“A really great book like this gives you that feeling.”

“Cray being cast as a cold yet lust worthy hero who was just as broken was nailed.”

“I couldn’t put it down. I needed to know what happened.”

“Cray is delicious, manly, wanted by many, and a guy who know how to play the game.”

“Cray is at times a douche, but in a way he needs to be. It makes a woman want to know what makes a guy like him tick.”

"The writing, at times, is almost reminiscent of authors such as Daphne Du Maurier."

"A writer who seems to have a fine ear for dialogue. Every character seems to have a distinct voice."

"The descriptions are excellent. Very vivid. Some may think it slows the reading, but I love it." 

Miriam is from Cheshire, England and a family of six siblings. Her love for creativity led to acting at her local theatre before being a lead vocalist in rock bands. During those years, she often found solace penning her thoughts and feelings through lyrics or poetry. She chose not to continue singing in 2006, and two years later she woke up with the idea for The Lebrus Stone and began typing. revising and editing it for the next six years. She is now eager to see what readers will think.

Author Links:

Blog: miriamkhannovels.blogspot.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9793155.Miriam_Khan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100007806765011&fref=ts

      

Buy Link:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Lebrus-Stone-Miriam-Khan-ebook/dp/B00QCR4C0E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417637292&sr=8-1&keywords=the+lebrus+stone

I lay back and tried not to over think things to calm the storm in my head, but a knock on my door moments later interrupted it.

"Come in!" I called out, sitting up to retrieve my book.

Syd entered, carrying in what looked like a sandwich and a glass of her homemade lemonade.

I could have done with a hot soup.

But I blew a sigh of relief it wasn't one of the Lockes.

"Isobel said to make sure you had some lunch by now," she said, placing the tray on my bedside cabinet.

"Thanks, Syd."

"Any reason why you're hiding in here?" she asked as she sat on my bed.

I tensed. Being told I was hiding annoyed me, but I wasn't annoyed at Syd, just at myself. I had come too far in life to start acting like a coward, especially over something clearly in my head.

I fingered the dog-eared cover of my book.

"I think I just need a quiet day to myself. It could be some type of…delayed jet lag." It could be partly true, I thought. It had taken two flights to get from Salt Lake City to Blacksville; six hours in total. I smiled, pleased with the conclusion. Exhaustion could have been why I had such a freakish dream.

"I see," Syd said, seeming unconvinced. "Well, do you think you'll be joining the Lockes for dinner?"

"Do I have to?" No matter how much I was becoming fond of Syd, she worked for the Lockes. They could try and make her tell me what do.

"No." She chuckled. "But I think you should try to interact. Cray's alright, by the way. A little scratch like that won't do a boy like him any harm."

Boy like him?

So, I had hurt him. My chest tightened.

"Oh, don't look so beat up about it, honey. The boy is as tough as old boots." She chuckled again. "And luckily for you, he's not as vain about his looks as you would think. He won't hold what happened against you." She patted my hand.

I gulped. "Has he…said something?"

"No. He left early this morning. He didn't say where he was going, and Isobel never dares ask these days. He's a very private person, as you've probably noticed. She respects that. We all do." She looked lost in thought for a moment, then smiled in her sad little way, and asked, "So, are you ready to talk about what happened last night?"

My mouth felt too clamped to begin

"I have to say, not many girls would have left home to meet so many strangers. I admire your courage."

Her comment only made me sound irresponsible. I gritted my teeth.

"I don't feel very courageous," I admitted. "I feel pretty stupid right now."

Thanks for the added comment to make me feel even more naive, I wanted to add.

"I don't think five months was long enough to think this through," I said.

She nodded. "Maybe. But everything happens for a reason. You followed your heart. It's all you can do in life. It's your only real compass."

I wanted us to keep talking. When Syd wasn't nicely pointing out my flaws, she had a way of calming me until I felt optimistic about my trip again. But she had dinner to prepare, so she reluctantly left me after insisting I get ready to face my evening with the Lockes.

Something about her was becoming familiar. It could have been the warmth in her eyes and how they reminded me of Selma. She had always been as hospitable and over helpful.

I still missed her. Talking to Syd was like getting back something that had been cruelly taken away, too. It wasn't just my parents I'd lost, but my pride, self-worth, my best friend, at times my composure. It had been an uphill struggle this past year or so. But I was finally feeling on top of things…I think.

I sure wasn't going to let it keep me down.

Coming to Blacksville was my new start as the new and improved me. I really had to keep believing that.

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