Wednesday 5 November 2014

Becoming His by Mariah Dietz Cover Reveal @MariahDietz



Becoming His by Mariah Dietz 
Book Details:
Title:  Becoming His
Author:  Mariah Dietz
Genre:   Contemporary Romance
Release Day:  December 1, 2014


Synopsis:
Sometimes life’s unforeseen paths lead us to discovering sides of ourselves we never knew existed. 
Ace Bosse has always found solace at home, but when she returns for the summer from college she builds an unexpected relationship with the reckless Max Miller.
Three years ago, Max left for Alaska to find what he thought he’d lost, but now he realizes just how much he left behind.
Max teaches Ace that sometimes a little crazy is exactly what life needs while learning that some chances are worth taking, regardless of the risks.
But how do you know when you’ve met the right person? And will they be prepared to experience one of life’s biggest obstacles? 
Falling in love isn’t easy, but holding on to it is where the real challenge lies.





Excerpt:  
Mindi, Savannah, and Jenny left Kendall and me to the lounge chairs in the backyard after ensuring we weren’t too drunk to pass out and drown, but apparently not to question that we’d be just drunk enough to do something stupid.
“Go where?” I ask.
“TP Marshall's!”
I instantly laugh at the thought as I shake my head.
“Come on!” She wraps her fingers around mine and tugs once again, and I willingly follow her through the house. I’ve definitely drank too much, because I can hear a teeny tiny voice in the back of my head telling me that this is a bad idea, but a much louder voice in the forefront of my mind giggles and discusses strategy. That louder voice is my voice, as I help load Kendall’s arms.
“You look ridiculous.” I laugh at the sight of my sister in her neon green bikini bottom with toilet paper rolls bulging from her arms.
“We have to stay down so no one can see us,” Kendall whispers conspiratorially. I try to keep a straight face, but all I want to do right now is laugh. Everything seems funny, from the fact that we’re about to TP a house to Kendall wearing my bikini top because she thought it would make her boobs look bigger—it doesn’t, but by the time we finished swapping tops she was ready to go.
“You dropped one!” I stop in front of the fallen roll.
“Leave it!”
“I can’t. We need all of them!” I slowly bend to retrieve it and drop three more in the process.
Kendall's giggles fill the air. “Stop, stop,”
I laugh as I work to pick up the four rolls of toilet paper. As I get the last one in my arms, it squeezes too tightly against one another and two more fall out of my arms. My laugh follows them rolling down the street.
“Oh my god, I think I just peed!” Kendall cries between squeals of laughter as she presses her forehead to my shoulder.
We decide to abandon the two rolls, and Kendall starts humming the Batman theme as she straightens and bolts down the middle of the road, surprisingly fast for how drunk she is and being in a pair of flip flops I know from experience are stiff and uncomfortable to walk, much less run in.
I chase after her feeling but not really caring about the sharpness of the road against my bare, pool-pruned feet.
We duck behind a large azalea bush that lines Mr. Tucker’s walkway, which is only three houses down from Marshall’s, as a pair of headlights turn toward us.
“Shhh!” I whisper as Kendall leans heavily against me, still giggling. The small voice in the back of my head instructs me to look back and ensure it isn’t our parents. They’re supposed to be gone overnight, but catching us would definitely invoke a "Harper Jo."
I stand to watch where the vehicle’s going, and Kendall levels me as she attempts to run forward. The rolls of toilet paper fall from our grasps as our arms fly out to catch ourselves. We lie on the cool grass, bursting into shrieks of laughter.
After a few minutes we slowly stand up. A stitch burns in my side from giggling as I dust  dried grass off  my exposed skin and begin picking up the fallen rolls.
When we get to Marshall’s we dump our collection under the large weeping willow that sits on the corner of his property and each grab a roll. We race around, throwing them to drape trails of toilet paper as quickly as possible.
“What are you doing?” The words are hissed from behind us making me jump and Kendall scream.
My head whips around, terrified that we haven’t been paying enough attention to the house and that Marshall’s caught us, or worse—our dad.  
“You scared the shit out of me!” Kendall screeches, reaching out to slap Jameson’s chest as I take a deep breath of relief.
“What are you guys doing?” he repeats.
“He was being a creeper!” Kendall wails.
“Shhh!” Jameson and I both hiss.
“What was he doing?” This time I’m the one that squeals as I hurl my roll behind me toward the voice I recognize as soon as the toilet paper hits his chest.
Max stands behind me, looking satisfied at my reaction. I glare at him, feeling my heart thrumming in my neck and my hands shaking from nerves.
“Where are your clothes?” Jameson asks, ignoring my reaction and Max’s question.
I look down at my pink bikini bottoms and neon green top that belongs with Kendall’s bottoms and over to Kendall. She’s looking down at her own bathing suit.
“We’re wearing clothes.”  One hand goes to her hip in defiance.
“According to a nudist colony maybe,” Jameson retorts.
Kendall ignores him and picks up the roll she’d dropped and tosses it toward the front flower bed, leaving a trail of white. A new eruption of giggles pierces the air as she trips, her hands finding my arm for support.
There’s something about Kendall’s giggle that has always been infectious to me, even when I don’t know what’s funny. When we were little and dangerously close to being in trouble, the sound of her giggling always had me laughing almost instantly, and it’s having the same effect now.
“Oh my god, you guys are hammered!” Jameson cries, and his genuine shock makes me laugh even harder. He shoots a death glare at me, but unfortunately it just makes me laugh harder and soon I’m doubled over with laughter, not able to breathe.
As our laughter subsides I notice that Max is holding two rolls of toilet paper in his hands. He tosses one to Jameson who catches it and drops his shoulders as his eyebrows rise. We all watch as Max drops the first couple of squares that inevitably always seem to tear at the beginning of each roll and chucks it high into the weeping willow, much higher than Kendall or I could have hoped to have achieved. Jameson quietly mutters something under his breath and shakes his head before his shoulders roll and he follows suit.
When the yard is sufficiently covered in white and our arsenal of toilet paper has expired we stand admiring our handiwork for a moment. It’s the first time that I’ve ever TP’d someone’s house, and although I feel a slight spasm of guilt, I’m quite liberated with this small act of rebellion.
“Shit!” I hear Jameson cry, and before I can turn to see what has him panicking, I’m mid air.
In one fell swoop Max has me over his shoulder and he’s running as though I'm nothing more than a beach towel.
I should be angry and demand to be put down, especially since I’m only wearing my bikini and his hands are clasped around my bare hips, but then I hear yelling and recognize Marshall’s voice ordering to know what’s going on, followed by empty threats, and decide to remain quiet because Max is fast, really fast. My observation is likely skewed a bit, being that I’m upside down, backwards, and have had too much to drink; all the same, he seems crazy fast.
“Did he see us?” Kendall asks as Max stops and slides me back to my feet. I look around the unfamiliar yard and realize when I see the cement birdbath that we’re standing in Max’s backyard.
“I don’t think so,” Jameson says, taking a deep breath as his chest heaves. “That was close! Why in the hell did we just help TP that house?”
“That’s Marshall.” Kendall’s voice is a statement, like this explains everything..
“Who’s Marshall?”
“A dirty creeper. He asked Ace to model for him and then handed her the Victoria’s Secret catalog and told her she could pick.”
Jameson raises his eyebrows, and Kendall nods knowingly. “Told you. Creeper.”
“I was a little worried you girls were just bored and picked a house at random.”
“I’m sure he was joking. He’s socially awkward and kind of strange, but Jose and Kendall made it sound like it was a good idea,” I admit.
“Jose?” Max asks.
I turn to look at him from where he’s standing behind me and notice he looks more annoyed than usual.
“Cuervo!” Kendall throws an arm into the air with a whoop, making me laugh again.
I turn my attention to Max and Jameson and see them shaking their heads. “How’d you guys find us?”
“We drove by and saw you two run into the bushes and then watched you guys sprawl out on the grass with a gazillion rolls of toilet paper, so we parked and followed the noise.” Max shrugs. “Late night TP’ing in bikinis, only the two of you would do that.” He looks at me and his eyes fall to my feet. “And barefoot. What if he’d caught you?”
“Technically, he did catch us.”
Max rolls his eyes at my response, and I can’t help but roll mine in return.



About the author:   


Mariah Dietz lives in Eastern Washington with her husband and two sons that are the axis of her crazy and wonderful world.
Mariah grew up in a tiny town outside of Portland, Oregon where she spent the majority of her time immersed in the pages of books that she both read and created. 
She has a love for all things that include her sons, good coffee, books, travel, and dark chocolate. She also has a deep passion for the stories she writes, and hopes readers enjoy the journeys she takes them on, as much as she loves creating them.


Author Links: 





a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Blog Tour* Sinful Desires Series Tour by M.S. Parker @msparkerauthor

SinfulDesiresSeriesBTBanner SinfulDesiresCover   f021e-addtogoodreads   Synopsis   Why in the world had I agreed to go home for my five-year reunion when I hated pretty much all of my classmates? Right, because I was an idiot. I should've known better. When Las Vegas exotic dancer, Piper Black, goes back to Philadelphia for her reunion, she knows it's not going to be an enjoyable experience, and she's right...until she ends up sleeping with her high school crush. What she doesn't know is that Reed Stirling has a secret that ruins everything. Can he make things right? And even if he does, will Piper be able to forgive him? Don't miss the titillating Vol. 1 of Sinful Desires by USA Today Bestselling author, M.S. Parker


Review by Mazzy Boss Lady
4 out of 5 stars

I received an arc in exchange for an honest review

I found this to be a short read, and quite a good one at that. The Characters where likeable and seemed sincere.
The writing and plot was easily followed and it was an enjoyable read.
I would say that I feel it could of been a bit longer.

  Teaser   SinfulDesires1Tease2   Buy Links  

* AMAZON *

sinfuldesires2cover   1e5bb-goodreads-badge-add-plus   Synopsis   I wasn't entirely sure why I'd accepted Brock's invitation to be his date for his sister's wedding. A wedding to a man who'd confessed that he didn't love his wife-to-be. All I knew was that I didn't belong in that world. When Piper Black returned to Philadelphia to attend the wedding of the man who'd broken her heart, she never imagined that she'd end up falling for her date...who just happened to be Reed Stirling's new brother-in-law. Will Brock Michaels be able to heal Piper's heart or will her connection to Reed tear apart more than one relationship? The second volume in M.S. Parker's sizzling Sinful Desires series isn't to be missed.


Review by Mazzy Boss Lady

4 out of 5 stars

This book continues where book one left of and I felt that it was a better read than the first.

It has alot more going for it and we see that the characters have some decisions to make.

I look forward to reading book 3 to see what the outcome is.


  Teaserclose up of heterosexual couple having sex Buy Links

* AMAZON *

SinfulDesires3Cover 1e5bb-goodreads-badge-add-plus   Synopsis   I was shocked when Brock asked me to move back to Philadelphia and even more so when he'd declared that he'd choose me over his family. Reed, the man I'd thought had honor had turned out to be a bastard, but the guy who everyone said was bad news was starting to look a lot like a white knight. Back in Las Vegas and trying to decide what to do about Brock Michaels' offer, Piper Black finds herself torn between the man she cares for and the reputation he supposedly has. She tells herself that he's changing for her, but she isn't sure if that means she wants to move for him. Is Brock really who he seems to be, or is he just one more man who will break Piper's heart? Find out the truth in this third installment of M.S. Parker's smoking series, Sinful Desires.



Review 

4 out of 5 stars

Book 3 carries straight on from book 2, we see the outcome of decisions and realisations of maybe things are not what they thought they were.

Another good read, now on to Vol 4


  TeaserSinfulDesires3Tease   Buy Links  

* AMAZON *

SinfulDesiresIVCover   1e5bb-goodreads-badge-add-plus   Synopsis   How could I have been so stupid? Anastascia had told me that Brock was bad news but I'd never dreamed what he was capable of. First Reed, then Brock. Was my taste in men really that awful? When Piper Black finds out the truth about her first encounter with her boyfriend Brock Michaels, she's devastated, but things only get worse when a familiar face shows up at the wrong moment. With her life in shambles, Piper is given the opportunity for a new start... back in Philadelphia. Will her luck change if she moves back? And what will it mean being in the same city as the one man who's never left her mind? In this penultimate installment of M.S. Parker's sizzling Sinful series, the intrigue is hot, but the passion is even hotter.


Review 

4 out of 5 stars

This series just gets better as it goes along.
There are more twists and turn in this one and when you thought it was going one way, it goes in the complete opposite direction. Lets see what the next book brings



  Teaser   Sensual woman kissing her handsome husband   Buy Links  

* AMAZON *

SinfulDesires5Cover   1e5bb-goodreads-badge-add-plus Synopsis What was wrong with me? When Reed showed up at my house and said that his marriage was over, I should've been thrilled. So why was I thinking that maybe he wasn't what I wanted after all? When handsome and rich Reed Stirling says he's giving up everything to be with Piper, she knows that this should be everything she's ever wanted. But something is holding her back, and she's pretty sure it isn't just her justifiable trust issues with men. Former Vegas stripper Piper Black is torn between what she's always thought she wanted and something new that she'll have to fight for. Will she be able to figure out what her heart truly wants, or will she lose everything? Don't miss this final steamy installment to M.S. Parker's Sinful Desires series.


Review 

4 out of 5 stars

This the final book in the set and what a beautiful read it was.
A stunning conclusion is what ends this book and I'm really happy it ended this way. Even though each book is a short read, it's better to have the box set as it feels then that you are reading a full length novel and there is no waiting for the next book to come out.

Again it was a good read overall.


  Teaser

sinfuldesires5tease Buy Links    

* AMAZON *

Giveaway  
* THREE WINNERS: $10 AMAZON GIFT CARD *
About Author
M. S. Parker is a USA Today Bestselling author and the author of the Erotic Romance series, Club Privè and Chasing Perfection. Living in Southern California, she enjoys sitting by the pool with her laptop writing on her next spicy romance. Growing up all she wanted to be was a dancer, actor or author. So far only the latter has come true but M. S. Parker hasn't retired her dancing shoes just yet. She is still waiting for the call for her to appear on Dancing With The Stars. When M. S. isn't writing, she can usually be found reading- oops, scratch that! She is always writing
Author Links

* WEBSITE * FACEBOOK * TWITTER *

Tour Host OUAA

What’s Left of Us Excerpt Reveal A continuation of What’s Left of Me by Amanda Maxlyn @amandamaxlyn



What’s Left of Us
Excerpt Reveal
A continuation of What’s Left of Me
by
Amanda Maxlyn
Release date 11/14/2014

what's left of us excerpt reveal.jpg


Sneak Peek Excerpt
Prologue
Aundrea


Fear. It’s all around us. It finds a way inside, lodging deep within, refusing to surrender. It latches on, following you on this path called life. The way it makes our bodies tremble through our core, perspire with one thought, or makes our hearts feel as if they’re coming to a standstill, causing all blood flow to rush from our head to our toes. It’s the one word that can instantly cause our breathing to become slow and labored, stirring up the worst emotions within.
Suddenly my chest becomes too tight to bear. My legs go numb and my arms feel weak. My heart is beating too fast and, no matter how much I pray for it to slow, and the tight pain to go away, it doesn’t.
I’m gasping for air. “My chest. It’s too tight.” I claw at my shirt, as if I could rip it off. The once soft fabric now feels like fire, burning away my flesh.
“Mom, I don’t think she’s okay!”
“Aundrea?!”
“I can’t breathe. My ... tight … the pain … it won’t stop. I can’t feel my arms, or …” Oh my God, this is it.
I fall to my knees.
“Is she having a heart attack?” Panicky, Genna stands and yells for my dad.
Every dream I’ve had, every sense of hope—everything I’ve feared is burning them away right before my eyes.
Death.
            It’s easy to forget what matters most when you’re distracted by your deepest fear, which, in my case, is leaving behind everyone I cherish most. Sometimes it’s the most disturbing thoughts that tunnel their way to your core and hold on, no matter how hard you try to shake them.
The afterlife doesn’t scare me. The unknown can be magical when you really think about it. The beauty of possibility.
There are muffled voices around me, yelling and screaming, but my eyes are frozen. I can’t move my head to see who’s speaking. I can’t even be certain where I am at the moment.
I begin to feel like I’m floating and it’s then that I realize I’m being put on a stretcher. There are two men yelling. Why are they yelling? Are they yelling at me?
A cold rush of air startles me as a mask is put over my face. It’s the first time I get a deep, fulfilling breath since this all started.
“You’re going to be okay. Keep your eyes open for me, okay?” one of the men instructs, leaning close to my face.
I try to nod, but he shakes his head. “Don’t try to move.” I go cold, every limb gone numb. Then, pain.
I don’t think I’ve ever felt so much pain in all my life. It’s as if a hundred men are standing on top of me, stabbing my chest with razor-sharp knives. I swear, with each jab of pain I can hear the crack of the blades stabbing deeper inside of me, slowly ripping me apart. Then the pain pierces my heart and I cry out.
“Someone needs to call Parker!” Genna screams.
The men start running and I feel like I’m flying. The wind washes over me and it’s almost calming.
My surroundings go blurry as I’m lifted. Everything is happening so fast. My shirt is ripped open and freezing stickers are placed on my chest.
Cries fill my ears, drowning out the loud banging from the men moving around. I don’t know where I am, but when I hear my mom say, “Parker, its Aundrea. We’re going to the hospital,” I let my eyes drift closed and just pray the pain will stop. And that Parker will get to me before it’s too late.


Chapter One
Aundrea
Three Months Earlier


The future.
It’s terrifying to think about.
Sometimes life can be run by our emotions; how we feel about ourselves can dictate the path our life takes.
Before Parker entered my life, I didn’t think about tomorrow, much less my future. But he changed me. The day he told me he could see my future was the day I knew I would stop at nothing to make sure I saw the start and end of each day. For him.
For us. It’s when our future began.
“Aundrea?” a gentle voice asks, breaking me from my thoughts. I shiver as Parker grasps my hand, helping me. My senses are heightened, trying to glean some clue as to where we are.
“Can I look now?” I giggle, nearly tripping over the uneven ground. The blindfold Parker had me put on before leaving our apartment slips a little as I catch my balance, but it doesn’t fall off.
His grip on my arm tightens as he chuckles. “Almost. A couple more steps.”
He guides me up a small set of steps, loosening his hold as we reach the top. He lets go of my arm, but doesn’t say a word; only the sound of crickets fills the night air. A welcome breeze kisses my face softly.
My ears perk up at the sound of a key entering a lock. “Where are we?” I ask, even though I know he won’t answer. I have a strong urge to just rip off the blindfold.
“We have one last tiny ledge to step over, so careful now.” Holding my elbow, he leads me through the door. A few steps in, we stop abruptly. “Okay, open.”
I pull down the blindfold and blink away blurriness as my eyes adjust.
 “What is this?” I stand, breathless, taking in my surroundings. Before me is a large open layout of living space leading into what a glimpse suggests is a kitchen. I look down, shuffling my feet. I’m standing on dark, rich hardwood floors that run into the most beautiful, detailed floor molding I have ever seen. To my side is a large, wide staircase leading to an open space that overlooks where we’re standing.
Of course, I know what this is—a house—so my question should really be, “Why are we here?”
Parker steps in front of me, taking one of my hands in his. I look up, meeting my husband’s crystal blue eyes.
“Do you know that paper is the traditional one year anniversary gift?” I shake my head, bemused. Handing me a folded note, he says quietly, “Open it.”
I fumble with the paper. I suck in a sharp breath as I read the deed I’m clenching in clammy fingers. “Parker, you bought us a house.” It doesn’t come out as a question, but rather a stunned statement.
His throat bobs as he rubs the back of his neck nervously, and a light sheen of sweat forms on his forehead. I smile at his nervousness, which causes his shoulders to relax.
 “Aundrea, I was taught that when you find the person you’re meant to be with, you should do everything in your power to keep them. Spend every day of your life proving to them that they’re worth it. You’re always by my side, helping me, wanting to protect me, and showing me that I can be the best man possible. Together, we’ve started to build a life that means something to us, and I want the next chapter of it to start here.”
He motions at the house around us. “I want to grow old, have lots of children, and hear their little footsteps run around on these hardwood floors. I want to have a future with you in this house.”
I cover my mouth to stop my lip from quivering. “I love it,” I mumble, my voice barely audible. I haven’t even stepped more than a foot into the place, but I can already tell by the hardwood floors and open layout that I’m going to fall head over heels for this house.
“You do?”
I look around the room, taking in the stone fireplace, high ceiling, bright lights, and crown molding. “It’s absolutely gorgeous.”
“Like you.”
Heat rises to my cheeks and I’m almost certain my ears have turned bright red. We’ve been together for three years now, and been married for one year, and this man can still make me blush.
“Come here.” He takes my hand, lacing our fingers together. “Let me show you around our place.”
I give a small nod, allowing him to lead the way. He takes me through the house, showing me the den, the living area, every bedroom and closet. Each room seems larger and more extravagant than the last. I’m surprised by how large this house is. It’s more than I could have ever dreamed. Parker explains that it’s a newly built house, which is why the walls are so plain, which I don’t mind because we’ll be able to add our Mr. and Mrs. Jackson touches to it.
Parker shows me every corner, ending with us standing in front of a sliding glass door off the dining room. A cool blast of air hits me as I follow him out to the large deck.
“Parker,” I breathe. My mouth drops open at the sight before me. The deck is covered with glowing candles and, in the center, a blanket is laid out with a bottle of champagne and two glasses.
“It’s amazing, huh?” he asks, motioning to the large backyard.
“It’s perfect.” I’m in absolute awe as I realize this is all ours.
Coming up behind me, Parker wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me against his chest. “We’re far enough away from the city that you can stargaze as much as you want with no light pollution.”
Resting my head on his shoulder, I look up at the black sky. I could stare at this view all night. I fill my lungs with the cool night air and let it out slowly as I take in our expansive back yard.
“Is this for real?” I ask half choked up, half smiling.
“Very much. Our future continues here, Aundrea.”
I turn to face him. “This place is amazing, Parker. Honestly, I couldn’t have picked a better place for the two of us.”
Engulfing me in his arms, he hugs me tightly, kissing the top of my head.
Snuggling in closer, I start thinking about the last couple months. How could he have managed this without my finding out?
“How did you do this?”
“What do you mean?”
I laugh. “How did you purchase a house without me knowing? I mean, I understand I’ve been busy with finals and gearing up for graduation next month, but I didn’t think I was that out of it.”
“I know the realtor.” He shrugs with a half smile. “He brings his dog into the clinic. Three months ago he mentioned this property and when I saw him again recently he brought it back up, surprised it was still on the market. I knew I had to see it and, when I did, I couldn’t resist. The price was right and the rest, as they say, is history.”
Of course he’d know the realtor.
I laugh again and Parker raises an eyebrow. “What’s so funny?”
“What if I’d hated the house?”
“I knew you wouldn’t.”
“Confident are you?”
“When it comes to you, yes.”
Giving him a warm smile, I wrap my arms back around his hard body, resting my head on his chest. “Here,” he says, pulling me to the center of the deck where the candles are glowing softly.
Settling under the blanket, I snuggle against him, looking up at the clear sky and the stars shining above us. I can imagine myself stargazing out here every night, or snuggling on a chaise longue with my Kindle and a glass of white wine.
This is our home.
Parker reaches for the champagne bottle, so I wiggle forward to give him more room. He pops the cork and pours us each a glass, not allowing the bubbles to overflow.
“Happy wedding anniversary, Aundrea. Here’s to many more.” He raises his glass and I do the same.
“Happy anniversary, handsome.”
The bubbles tickle my throat as I take a small sip, watching my husband do the same.
There isn’t a day that goes by that I’m not thankful for this man before me and all his surprises. Over the last three years he’s done nothing but be supportive in all I do, constantly trying to give me everything that I deserve. He’s taught me to embrace life, and I can’t wait to welcome whatever life decides to throw our way next.

***

“Wait. Stop a minute and back up. He bought you a house? Like, a house house?” my best friend Jean screams into my ear the following evening. A house house? Is there any other kind?
Moving the phone away in an attempt to get my hearing back, I answer, “Yes, he bought us a house. Not just me.”
“Same thing.” Um … okay? “Damn, Dre.” I can picture her sitting on the couch in her Minneapolis apartment shaking her head in awe as she speaks. “When’s the move? Did you have any idea he was even looking?”
I shrug, even though she can’t see me. “We’re not sure on a move-in date, but since our lease is up at the end of next month, we’re hoping soon. Parker said the realtor doesn’t think it will be a problem. The loan has already gone through, so we’ll just need an inspection for the final okay. And, no, I had no idea he was looking. It just sort of fell in his lap.”
“Shit. I can’t believe that man sometimes.”
Neither can I. “I know.”
“The timing will be perfect, too. Take your last final, graduate, and move into that big new house of yours. You’re finally entering the real world!” The shuffling sounds on Jean’s end suggest she’s getting more comfortable. “If it weren’t for me, the two of you wouldn’t even be together.”
“That’s not true!”
“Sure it is. I practically had to force you to go home with him that night at Max’s Bar. If it weren’t for me, you would never have left with him, there’d be no ring on that pretty little finger of yours, and there definitely wouldn’t be any house. So, you’re welcome.”
“Thanks.” It comes out flat, but I pick the tone back up. “For the record, I went home with him all on my own.” She giggles. “Are you coming to Rochester this weekend?” I ask, changing the subject.
“I think so. It all depends on Kevin. He mentioned something about needing to pick up a shift for Jason.”
Kevin is another veterinarian Jason met in college and introduced to Parker when he moved here. They asked him to join the practice a little over a year ago, and recently he became the third partner at the clinic. He also happens to be Jean’s boyfriend—not that she approves of that word.
“Well, if not, maybe I can come up for the day or something?”
“I’d like that, Dre. It’s been forever.”
“It’s been two weeks!”
“My point. Forever.”
I smile just as I hear keys fumbling in the door. “Hey, Parker’s home. I’ll chat with you later, okay?”
“Fine, go hang out with that man candy of yours while I sit here in my empty apartment watching reruns of Gossip Girl.”
I chuckle, ending the call as Parker enters our apartment.
Standing in the entryway in gray dress slacks and a black button-down shirt unbuttoned a little at the top, he looks just as good as he did this morning when he left for work. His blond hair is disheveled, as if he’s run his hand through it a hundred times, suggesting a stressful day.
“What’s all the laughing about?”
“Jean.”
“Ah.” He raises his eyebrows and smiles.
Setting his keys in the dish by the door, he walks into the living room and sits next to me, pushing my physics book aside. It falls to the floor as his lips meet mine, gentle and soft. He takes my top lip into his mouth and tenderly kisses it.
Leaning back, he gives me a wink. “Hi.”
“Hello, handsome.” I run my fingers along his stubbled cheeks, smiling. “How was your day?”
His shoulders relax as he sinks into the couch. “Busy, but good. Yours?”
I groan, throwing my head back playfully. “Studying. Lots and lots of studying. I don’t think I can see straight. Change of subject, please.”
He laughs, pulling me in for another kiss. “That bad, huh?”
“I’m just anxious for my last final to be over.”
The moment I was cleared of needing further cancer treatment, I sunk all my spare time—plus some—into my studies. I doubled up on course work, taking as many classes as I could so that I could graduate in a timely manner. There were semesters my family—including Parker—thought I was crazy to take on so many sleepless nights and long study hours, but I looked at it as making up for missed opportunities, and I’ve truthfully enjoyed every second of it. I’ve worked so hard to get to this point, and the thought of graduating next month from the Winona State University, Rochester with a bachelor’s in physics is the most rewarding and liberating feeling ever.
Parker winks, then stands and moves through the kitchen effortlessly, opening the fridge and taking out a beer. He looks over his shoulder at me, raising an eyebrow, and I nod.
He rejoins me on the couch and I use my shirt to twist the cap off my beer.
“No studying tonight, beautiful. We’re celebrating.”
I take a small, appreciative sip. “Celebrating what?”
“Our future.”
“I thought we did that last night?” I bite my lip, remembering our naughty evening.
“Oh, we definitely celebrated last night.”
I blush. I shouldn’t be bashful thinking or talking about having sex, but when it comes to sex with Parker … it’s hard not to feel the heat.
He sets his beer down on the coffee table and his face turns serious. “I’ve been thinking—don’t give me that look, Aundrea.”
“What look?”
“The look that says, ‘Oh, boy, here we go!’”
I laugh. “Sorry. It’s just, last night you surprised me with a house. I’m not sure what can top that.”
He takes a deep breath. “When Mark showed me the house, the first thing that popped into my head was how we’ll have all this space to fill.” I can see the tension in the small lines forming around his eyes.
“What are you saying?”
He runs his hand through his hair and swallows hard. “Maybe it’s time we think about adding to the Jackson family.”
“Like a dog?” I raise an eyebrow. It’s a joke, but one I hope eases the tension in his eyes.
“No.” He gives me a weak smile. “What if we considered the idea of starting a family? I mean, it’s probably not going to happen overnight, but I think it’s time we discuss our options. Look into what’s available for us.”
I don’t realize I’m holding my breath until I suddenly feel lightheaded. Forcing myself to breathe, I brace against the armrest. “You mean … you want us to have a baby?”
He nods. Before I can say anything, he reaches for my arms, almost as if he knows what my reaction will be: passing out.
I kind of feel as if I might.
 A baby.
Are we ready to have a baby?
Am I ready to have a baby?


what's left of us t3.jpg

Book Information: Release Date 11/14/2014
what's left hosted cover.jpg
Pre-order available on Amazon:

Blurb
The heartwarming conclusion to What's Left of Me.

Love found me three years ago.

I’m cancer free, happily married to the love of my life, and working toward my dream career.

Our life is complete. Perfect, really.

Or is it?

I’ve always wanted a family of my own, but never dreamed I could have one. Now Parker’s ready to make my dream our reality.

But sometimes our dreams are haunted by our deepest fears. Fears of failure, having a child, and in our case … death. How do I help the person I love get over his fear when I’m still trying to overcome that same fear myself?

Together we must learn What’s Left of Us.

Choose One Teaser
what's left of us t6.jpg

what's left of us t5.jpg

What’s Left of Me (book one)
what's left of me.jpg
Purchase What’s Left of Me


Blurb

Life works in mysterious ways.

Four years ago I became known as the girl with cancer.

I refuse to cry.

And I refuse to give in.

A relationship with a man is the last thing I’m looking for right now, but one night with Parker changes everything. He is persistent, and he knows what he wants.

Me.

He doesn’t treat me like I’m fragile.

But he doesn’t know, and I’m not ready to tell him.

What if it changes everything?
Tragedy found me when I was seventeen.

Love found me when I was twenty-one.

My name is Aundrea McCall, and this is my journey.

Additional Teasers (use if needed or swap out top teaserswhat's left of us t.jpg)

what's left of us t7.jpgwhat's left hosted t4.jpg
About the Author:
amanda maxlyn bio.jpg
I am the mother of two little boys, married to the love of my life, and living in one of the smallest towns in Minnesota. When I’m not chasing or cleaning up after my boys (yes, all three), I can be found writing or snuggled up with my kindle, a glass of wine, and spending time with my fictional friends and family.

I am first and foremost an avid reader! I love to read anything romance from paranormal, young/new adult, contemporary, and even yes, (wide eyes) erotic/BDSM.




THANK YOU!

promo.jpg