Blog Tour Review

Clean Slate
by
S.L. Siwik 

~ Synopsis ~

Juggling two jobs and mounting bills, Audrey Hoffinger decides that she doesn't have time for a boyfriend, but contemplates a friends with benefits situation. After placing a personal ad, she meets Mike Kowalski, a local cop,former Marine. He infuriates her from the first time they meet. He's pushy, overprotective, and has absolutely no concept of personal space or privacy. He drives her crazy! But as he makes her blood boil, he also makes her hazy with desire. Audrey can sense that there's more to Mike than meets the eye. Curiosity and desire draw Audrey to him like a moth to a flame. Resisting him becomes harder by the day. But maybe, just maybe, Michael is exactly what she needs. 

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 ~ Excerpt ~  

Walking into her apartment, she immediately took Baron out, and then headed for her filing cabinet. Audrey collected her bills that were due that week. Since July Fourth had been a bust at the diner, she didn’t have enough money to pay her bills in full. Audrey called to make partial payments over the phone. Some payment was better than nothing.

Audrey sat on the couch, petting Baron while she listened to her account balance.

“You have a two hundred dollar credit to this account. No payment is due.”

Audrey sat up straight on her couch. “What!”

She pressed the button to speak to a customer representative. Surely, this must be a mistake.

Audrey sat there puzzled while petting Baron and listening to the waiting music that the company played. Finally, a woman answered.

“Hi, yes, there must be a problem with my account. There’s no way that there could be a credit to the account,” Audrey explained.

“No, there’s no error,” the woman informed her. “The account was paid by ebanking two days ago by a Michael Kowalski.”

“Thank you,” she seethed into the phone.

Audrey called all of the companies, and everyone had a credit, even bills she had paid already that month. He had paid every single bill.

When she hung up on the last customer service representative after affirming Mike had paid them, she threw her cell across the room in frustration.

***

By the time the men arrived at the diner, Audrey was ready for war. Michael tried to kiss her hello, but she refused.

“Get over here for a kiss,” he demanded.

She shook her head in defiance. “I was trying to pay my bills today. Curiously, I found out that they were already paid. Actually, every one of my bills had a credit to the account. You wouldn’t know anything about that now, would you?”

Michael’s lips pressed tightly together.

She slammed her hands down on the table. “I cannot believe you!”

Audrey was fuming, seeing red.

“What’s the problem? You didn’t have enough money this week to cover the bills. I stole you from work to spend time with us. I needed you yesterday, and you came without complaint. So, I helped you out with a problem of yours. That’s what friends do, they help each other. Don’t they?”

“How did you know that I didn’t have enough money to cover my bills?” she asked.

His lips pressed firmly together again.

“You went into my bank account…again? How did you even get my bills to know what needed to be paid?”

“Your lock is one of the easiest that I’ve ever picked. You need better security. You don’t even have a dead bolt!”

“The only one I needed better security from is you!” She slapped her hands back down on the counter.

“Lower your voice,” he growled.

“Or what?” she countered.

He leaned across the table towards her. “Or I’ll throw you over my shoulder, carry you out, and fuck the fight right out of you. You’ll be a mewling kitten in my arms without any memory of why you were angry in the first place.”

The threat in his eyes felt very real to her. She gasped at his words, unsure if she wanted to slap him…or rip his clothes off.

Audrey decided to err on the side of caution and take a step back. Just when she thought she had the upper hand, somehow he always turned the tables on her, leaving her hazy and gasping for air.

No! He would not win this fight.

She started gloating from her impending victory as her eyes narrowed. “So, that was your big move, huh? After telling me you wanted me, you thought you could pay off my bills and I’d jump into your bed a minute later. I already told you, Mike, I can’t be bought.” She sighed loudly. “I’m a little disappointed. I expected a little more originality from you.”

His eyes looked wild. Audrey stood frozen in place, because she honestly didn’t know what he was about to do. The thought thrilled her and terrified her in equal measure. Her heat pounded like a gazelle caught in a lion’s gaze, knowing that in moments her life would be over. But, she couldn’t look away from the beautiful predator.

“Don’t you ever compare me to men who are only interested in you for sex again! That’s your first and final warning.”

Audrey had gained back some of her confidence.

“Why not?” she sneered.

“Because I’m in love with you. That’s the difference between me and those other jackasses. They don’t give a damn about you whereas I’d do anything for you.”

“Don’t say that!” She shouted, pointing her finger at him. “Don’t you throw those words around to win a fight!”

“I know exactly what those words mean.” The tone of his voice left no room for argument. “You want an apology for what I did? Then you better apologize to me.”

“Excuse me? Why would I need to apologize to you?”

“You’re angry because you don’t want to admit that you needed me. But, you should apologize because you made me need you, and you have no plans on fixing that. It’s cruel to make a man need you without ever being there for him in all the ways that he needs you to be.”

She stood there wide eyed, staring at him. He had done it; he had somehow turned this all back around on her. Michael had broken into her home, took her bills, paid them without her consent, and then didn’t tell her about it. But, somehow she was in the wrong. Part of her hated him in that moment; the other part deeply admired him. Audrey had a razor sharp tongue. It was necessary to always keep people away. But, Michael gave as good as he got.

“You want an apology from me?” she spat. “Don’t hold your breath.”

As soon as she stalked off, she noticed all of the other police officers sitting there with a front row seat to their fight. She also saw all of the other customers sitting in the packed diner, some glancing at her curiously. Damn him. He was always sucking her into his atmosphere with those blazing eyes, making her forget about the rest of the world.

She had to work on that…immediately.

~ Links to Buy ~

Amazon ** Amazon UK
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** Links to be provided when book goes LIVE on 4/18 **

~ Review ~

This book was about determination to make it on your own, the guts to do and the ability to overcome your parents shadow to allow happiness into your life.

Audrey was a mere pawn in her father's life until she wanted more than just marrying into a loveless marriage to appease her father's wishes at the age of 18.  With determination and some help from a friend she was off to college and to life with out entitlement.

Barely making ends meet, working two jobs, little did she know that a group of policemen that frequented the diner would turn her life around and maybe alittle upside down too.

Meet Mike, Officer Kowalski.  He's easy on the eyes but his demeanor is a bit less that desirable.  First impressions may be lasting but they may not always be accurate. Mike has his own past insecurities to deal with and may not put his best foot forward.  His actions spoke louder that words at times and definitely in a good way.

Audrey and Mike are "friends", yes because we need to label all relationships, but it is apparent to all that Audrey and Mike want more. I felt for Audrey.  She argues with herself and looks for excuses not to fall for Mike.  She feels the connection but hasn't been able to trust it, her parents relationship flashing like a neon sign in her mind.  Mike scared me at times with his "stalker-like" behavior.  Can you say invasion of privacy?   Once he allowed himself to feel for Audrey there was no holding back. He would do anything and everything to keep her in his life.

As with any good story we get some twists and turns. We have unresolved issues and hope for a happy resolution.  This story had me pulling for Audrey the whole while.  Looking for the one thing that would finally give the girl a break.  What she got was so much more.

 If you haven't had the chance to read anything by this author you could start here.  But be sure to check out her other works as well, she has created some memorable characters.

~ Rating~

~ About the Author ~

I live in NJ with my husband, daughter, dog, and beta fish. I love going out with my daughter on the weekends, drink a pot of coffee a day, and hate wearing make-up. I love finding new book boyfriends, and I love writing down the stories that pop into my head. But, most of all...I love hearing from you!

~ Connect with S.L. Siwik ~

Facebook  ** Goodreads ** Twitter

Other Works by S.L. Siwik

 

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Blog Tour Review

Stealing Time

by

S.L. Siwik

Release Date: April 6, 2014

~ Synopsis ~

Delaney Beaumont is more likely to flip you the bird than she is to say hello. A workaholic during the week as a free-lance graphic designer, by weekend she's a partying alcoholic. Laney's MO is always the same: party and drink until she blacks out. Every weekend she wakes up in bed with a strange man and no memory of how she wound up there. But, she doesn't care. Because when she leaves his apartment, she'll never see him again. It's the way she's gone about it for years and it suits her needs just fine.

That is...until the day she wakes up in Jackson Turner's bed.

Jackson Turner is a tattoo artist and owner of four shops in the Colorado area. He wanted Delaney from the moment he set eyes on her. Their night together is nothing short of crazy, and Jackson knows that he has to have Laney in his life for good. Convincing her, while dealing with the consequences of their night together, will be easier said than done.

If you love someone set them free. Then get ready with a bottle of Jack.

~ Excerpt ~

Delaney

A loud buzzing sound goes off and I moan out in pain from my head pounding. Grabbing the silk wrapped pillow, I throw it over my head as I bury myself into the mattress like an ostrich into the sand. Hmm, I like the feel of the material against my naked body. So, I fucked someone last night with nice sheets. Score!

I searched my addled brain to remember what happened the night before.

Here are the facts that I remember: I drank a shit ton of Jaeger Bombs last night at Club Indigo before blacking out. Where am I? No fuckin’ clue. Who’s next to me? Your guess is probably better than mine. I’m not too worried though, because Double D, that’s Drunk Delaney, the person who comes out in me when I blackout, has never done me wrong. My pussy senses hotness in a five mile radius, and Double D, she’s a deal closer. So, I’m not freaking out about all of my unknowns right now, because that’s part of the fun- trying to piece together the ‘what the fuck happened’ from the night before. Usually I don’t get answers, and I’m alright with that too. Because whoever this is next to me had his one night of glory. His five minutes of fame in my world. I don’t ride stallions a second time. I don’t do ‘do overs’ either. I don’t even bother with names.  What’s the point? When I walk out that door, I’ll never see them again. This is how it’s been for the last six years, and it suits me just fine.

“Turn that off!” I grumble, smacking something hard next to me. I wince in pain, sure that my hand hurts more than whatever I just smashed into.

I hear a loud groaning sound before a warm body turns towards me, pressing up against me. A strong arm slides around my waist, pulling me even closer. Soft warm lips kiss my neck before a trimmed beard brushes against my shoulder, tickling me.  Hard body, strong arm, soft lips…aside from the raging hang over, not a bad way to wake up. 

~ Playlist ~

~ Links to Buy ~
Amazon ** Amazon UK ** Amazon CA
Barnes & Noble ** Smashwords
~ Review ~
 I was looking forward to reading this book for two reasons.  It was something new from an author whose work I have grown to love and the synopsis was intriguing.  Unfortunately this one fell flat in some areas for me.  There was definitely chemistry between Laney and Jackson but the on goings of their first night encounter were just not believable for me. 

What I did like was Jackson or "Tats" as Laney liked to call him.  Who doesn't fall for a hot guy with tats and a killer personality.  Laney was spunky as all hell and trying to hide from her pain at the bottom of a bottle.  But when she meets Jackson he sets her world on fire and makes her want to run.  

Laney, "the Little Hurricane", is carrying around years of guilt and using drinking and sex as an escape.  But when her past comes slamming into her present without any warning will Laney run to her past or toward her future?

I've been waiting for you all my life.  I was starting to think that you'd never come."  A tear rolls down my cheek as I shrug.  "I like to be fashionably late."

Jackson and Laney's roller coaster relationship was just that.  You never knew what was going to happen on the next page.  What I found distracting from the story was the flipping back and forth between time periods.  I like to watch the story unfold as it happens not having to double check what point of time I am in a story.  Overall, I enjoyed watching Laney and Jackson's story unfold and the characters realizing that they may have been broken but together they are whole.  

"The heart knows what the mind hasn't figured out yet."

~ Rating ~

Other Books By the Author ……

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~ Links to Buy ~

Amazon ** Amazon CA** Amazon UK
Smashwords

~ Add to Goodreads ~ 

~ Links to Buy ~

Amazon ** Amazon CA ** Amazon UK
Smashwords ** Barnes & Noble

 ~ About the Author ~

I live in NJ with my husband, daughter, dog, and beta fish. I love going out with my daughter on the weekends, drink a pot of coffee a day, and hate wearing make-up. I love finding new book boyfriends, and I love writing down the stories that pop into my head. But, most of all...I love hearing from you!

~ Connect with S.L. Siwik~ 

Facebook ** Goodreads ** Twitter 

Cover Reveal

Office Perks
by
S.L. Siwik

~ Synopsis ~

From a broken home, Victoria Wright knows how to survive. Realizing at a young age that her looks attracted men, she learned how to manipulate and seduce men to make it. Working as a high class hooker, to a stripper, to a bartender, Victoria has been making good money for years. Until her best friend and husband die in a car accident, leaving Victoria the caretaker of their eight year old daughter. Convinced her wild life is not good enough for Kendall, Victoria manages to get a position at Townsend Realty Co. Her attraction to Mr. Townsend, Mr. Hurley’s step-brother, is instantaneous and overwhelming. But, after five years of nothing but professionalism, Victoria is convinced he wants nothing to do with her romantically. When money tightens, however, Victoria finds herself dragged back into her old life. Mr. Townsend understands her need for more money, and propositions her…Be with him and only him for weekly cash. It’s an offer she can’t or doesn’t want to refuse. But, what happens when a woman who has only had sex for money finds herself falling in love with her powerful, wealthy, handsome boss? What happens when the money is no longer enough?

Find out in Office Perks with Miss Victoria Wright, Mr. Townsend, and a cast of lovable characters. Cameos from the Hurley family found in SL Siwik’s Winning Back series. 

~ Add to Goodreads ~

~ Excerpt ~

Miss Victoria Wright

I missed him. He had been gone away too long, even though I know why he had to be away. Without him here for the week, I am so caught up on work that I’m actually ahead. But, because he wasn’t here, he is now weeks behind. I gaze into his office longingly, wanting to feel connected to him again. A week felt like eternity without his touch. Should I leave him be, or let him know just how much I need him? Worst case scenario, he says no.  Right now, that’s not enough to stop me.  I unbutton the top three buttons of my dress shirt.  Knowing that he doesn’t have an appointment for two more hours, I walk into his office. Glancing up from his computer, he questions me with his eyes. Smiling, I slide across his desk, placing my heels down on the sides of his chair armrest, giving him a peek of my panties.  Blaze stops typing, glancing up at me with a gaze so heated, my insides clench in excitement.

My fingers run down his red silk tie. “I’ve really missed you,” I say, my voice full of longing. His hands glide up my thighs tenderly caressing me before he grabs at my flesh, unable to hide his sexual frustration.  I pout. “I had no one to tell me what to do all week.” Yanking on his tie, I pull him closer to me as I whisper in his ear, “And you know a woman like me shouldn’t be left unsupervised.”

His brow lifts at my statement as a smile graces his lips. “Do you need to be put back in your place, Miss Wright?”

Biting my lower lip, I nod. “Yes, sir.”

Blaze stands up, his bulging erection near my mouth. Unable to resist myself, I trail my hand over his hardness. He undoes his belt, sliding it off his pants and takes each wrist, holding them together above my head.

“When I’m done with you, you’ll remember who’s boss around here.” His deep voice caresses my ear like velvet.

A violent shiver rips through my body. Yes, Blaze, take me. I miss your touch so much.

He wraps his belt around my wrists, securing it tightly. “Green light?” he asks, his hand trailing down my raised arm.

Releasing a shaky breath, I reply, “Green fucking light, Blaze.”

He chuckles, stroking hair out of my face. “You really have missed me.”

“You have no idea. I missed you every single second since you left.” I wait for what he will do next while I remain helpless and bound on his desk.

Blaze yanks the open lapels of my shirt back, exposing my breasts. I gasp at his forcefulness while deft fingers move down the clasped buttons, undoing them in seconds flat. “You have haunted my sleep for a week straight, Victoria. I have had no peace since I left. Not. One. Second. Of. Peace.”

My heart hammers in my chest as my body aches for more of his touch. “I’m sorry, sir.”

“You’re going to be sorry, that’s for sure.” His teeth scrape along my shoulder before he yanks my hair back hard. My body bows to his force as I gasp loudly. “No more talking unless it’s green, yellow, or red,” he instructs. Whimpering in excitement, I nod my head as his teeth nip my ear lobe.

Blaze squeezes both my breasts hard before massaging them. He picks me up by my waist, and turns me around. Sitting down in his chair, he pulls me down with him. Gently, he places my restrained arms around his head. I can’t see him, making it all the more exciting. It’s also frustrating, too, because I want to look into his eyes, to see his heated gaze. Peering out into the office, the front door is in sight. If anyone walks in, they will see me exposed- naked and pliant on his lap. I hear his ragged breath in my ear and I feel so close to him after a week of his absence while nestled against his hard chest. Blaze hooks his fingers underneath my bra straps and yanks them down off my shoulders.

“Mmm. I see you dressed for me,” he says, glancing down at my sheer lace bra with burgundy embroidery. I nod, whimpering as he fondles my breast. His hand slides underneath my bra cup, curving around my swell as he cups my breast before pulling it out.  Tweaking my nipple, he twirls it around in my fingertips. And just as my nipple pebbles under his touch, he lets go, and my body cries out for his touch. He grabs my breast tightly, as his other hand slaps my nipple hard, and then strokes it in a caressing manner. I gasp in shock, but he pauses…

“Green,” I wail out, as my panties dampen in excitement.

He slaps my nipple again, harder this time, before stroking it. All I can do is glance down, watching helplessly. My breasts ache from the swelling he’s causing. The feeling is overwhelming, the pain followed instantaneously by the soothing pleasure. The leather belt is tight against my wrist, but it doesn’t hurt, only reminds me of how constricted I am. How completely and totally I am at his mercy. He smacks my nipple again before soothing. Both of his hands leisurely travel down my body, and my muscles quiver in excitement everywhere that he touches as I wait to see what he does next. He yanks my skirt up to my hips.

“Very nice,” he murmurs at the matching thong, thigh highs, and garter strap. His fingers run along the lace at the top of my stockings towards my inner thighs and I sigh at how gentle his touch his. Without warning, he yanks my legs apart wide, so I’m spread out on his lap.

“You will stay like this, because all of this is mine. Do you understand?” he says in my ear while his hand strokes me over my panties.

I am so aroused that I can barely speak. “Yes, sir.”

“Say it.” He strokes me more aggressively now. “Tell me that you’re mine.”

I whimper. Trying to speak, I stammer out, “I’m yours, Blaze. All of me.”

“Good girl,” he murmurs as he bends my arms, slipping them off his neck. Bending my upper body over the side of the chair, he sucks my nipple. I feel the pull in my arms and ache in my back from being bowed in this awkward position, but I love it. I relish the ache in my muscles. I know it means the release will only be better. His neck is right by my mouth. I can’t stop myself as I lean in nipping his skin, wanting a kiss. His tongue stops laving my sensitive flesh, and he slaps me hard across my nipple. I cry out as my clit throbs. “Did I tell you to touch me?”

“Sorry, sir,” I breathe out in frustration.

“For that, you’ll be punished.” I glance up, watching him in frustration, taking off his neck tie. My body shivers in excitement as he slides it over my eyes, the soft silk kissing my skin. He tightens the excess so that it is tight over my eyes.

“Keep misbehaving and I’ll keep you laid out on my desk all day while I work. You can listen to my fingers typing on the keyboard as you ache for my touch. Believe it.”

I want to have this man’s children the second those words roll of his tongue.

Left in suspense, I wait for what will come next. Blaze has me, his hard cock now pressed against my ass. His hand gently wraps around my neck and holds me still, while he waits patiently…

~ About the Author ~

She loves going to NJ diners on the weekend for inspiration, drinks a pot of coffee a day and loves finding new music to add to her playlist.  Author to Just Good Friends, Winning Back Ryan and Getting Back Annie.  Office Perks, and Sirens and Sweethearts are soon to be released.

~ Five Fun Facts ~

1. I am a chocoholic. I have reserve stashes strewn about my house. 

2. I grew up horse-back riding and competed seriously. Instead of turning pro, I went to college instead. 

3. My favorite color is purple. 

4. I have thirteen piercings on my body-9 in my ears, 1 in my nose, 1 in my labret, 2 in my belly button. 

5. Large crowds make me nervous. 

~ Connect with S.L. Siwik ~

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Blog Tour with Review & Giveaway

Getting Back Annie

By

S.L. Siwik

~ Synopsis ~

Annie Watson and her friends return in Winning Back Ryan’s sequel, Getting Back Annie. The book starts off a month after the end of the first book. Annie and Brian are getting ready to go to the Aschcroft’s for the Fourth of July weekend. Once there, we meet Annie’s family, including her brother, Jordan. But, surprises are in store for Annie on this vacation. It’s not a coincidence that Brian just wants Annie and her family over for the trip. When they return to NYC, Annie finds herself needing a second job and a way to deal with her constant nightmares from her attack. She finds herself leaning on Ben more and more, who is helping her deal and cope, much to Brian’s dismay. But, Ben isn’t pleased with how little Brian is helping Annie and decides to take a more active role in her recovery…and in her bedroom.

Is Annie’s romance with Ben merely situational? Is he simply the right man to help her move on? Or is something else evolving from their five year friendship? What happens to Brian and Annie’s relationship? Is it over because of a mistake on his part? Will their love endure? What is Ryan’s final fate? Find out in Getting Back Annie, as our heroine continues her path to self-discovery.

   ~ Add to Goodreads ~

~ Excerpt ~ 

Twenty minutes later, the limo was parked outside my apartment building. “Are you going to be okay?” I asked Kat. She nodded. Then I glanced at Ben, my eyes asking the same question. 

“You should go now before I convince you to stay,” he replied, his hands clasped together. 

 I shivered at his words knowing just how easily he’d be able to keep me there if he wanted to. “You didn’t answer my question, though. Are you going to be okay?” 

His jaw clenched as he looked at me with the wildest eyes I had ever seen. “Annie, if you don’t go right now, I will convince you to stay. And if you come with me, I will do unspeakably dirty things to you. I’ll do things to your body that I’m sure no man has. And when I’m done, there will be nothingvirginal about you anymore. You’ll be in the confessional a month straight after I’m finished.” 

I shivered violently, because I knew he meant every word of what he said. “Bye.” I said to Kat. “It was so nice meeting you.” She nodded, frowning.  I glanced at Ben. “Goodbye. For good.” I was honest enough to know that I needed to run from Ben to keep myself from making a mistake. A strong hand grabbed my arm, furious eyes staring at me. I yanked my arm out of Ben’s grasp. “What do you want? I said, ‘Goodbye.’” 

“I’m not leaving,” he replied. 

Furious, I pointed to the car. “Get in and go.” 

He shook his head, placing his hands on his hips. “Not until you tell me why him and why not me.” 

“Hmm. Let’s see. He can commit to a relationship…not run away for three weeks after making love to someone!” I shouted. 

Ben grabbed his hair, yanking it. “That wasn’t my fault! I had to stay away!” I rolled my eyes dramatically, making sure he saw before I turned. “Get back here!” he shouted.  I glanced over my shoulder. “What else? That can’t be the only reason.” 

“You need another reason? You and I together are a powder keg, one match away from exploding,” I said, “We’re either screaming at each other, punching each other, or trying to tear each other’s clothes off.” 

“So. Fucking. What?” He shouted. 

“And I don’t want that kind of chaos in my love life. Loving Brian is easy. It doesn’t wreck me like you do,” I admitted, “Those three weeks that you were gone…those were the three worst weeks of my life. Going into your apartment that night after George called me…I felt physically ill.” 

“They were the worst three weeks for me, too. It’ll never happen again. I swear it,” he replied adamantly. 

I shook my head. “I don’t want this craziness.” I turned to walk into the apartment. 

“What if I need you to save me?” he asked. His words stopped me in my tracks. I glanced back, and my breath caught in my throat at the vulnerability in his expression.  “Your love is changing me, princess. You give me purpose, something else other than fighting, and fucking, and just coasting through life. You make me work for it every Goddamn second. I need that.” 

I was so turned on that I was in physical pain.  “I think you’ll be fine without me.” 

He clenched his jaw, furious eyes glaring at me. “Fine. You want him? You want to go back to the old, boring story just because you know how it’s going to end?  Go on ahead. But, before you go, fix me.” 

I blinked. “What are you talking about?” 

He pointed at me. “You broke me! After I left the hospital that night, I tried to lose myself in someone.  I wanted to forget all the memories and pain. You were with Brian. Nothing was going to happen between us.” He pointed at his crotch. “He wouldn’t get hard! I couldn’t do it! So, after I left embarrassed as shit, I tried again another night. Nothing. I saw you a week later, and it worked perfectly fine. Raging fuckin’ hard on all night long.” I had never been more turned on that I was at that moment. “So, undo whatever you did to me right now!” 

“You want to be turned off by me?” I asked. He nodded as I walked towards him. Stopping right in front of him, I placed my hand over his heart, looking into his eyes. “I love you…madly, passionately, irrevocably.  It’s becoming difficult for me to see a future that doesn’t include you. I want your heart, your touch, your fidelity. I want you to look at no other woman the way you look at me. I want your body to only respond that way for me. I want a ring on my finger, a huge wedding, and to be the mother of your children. I want to go to sleep with you inside me and wake up the same way in your bed. I want to fight with you when you’re being an insufferable asshole, which is at least once a day. And then I want you to show me how you’ll make it up to me. I will be jealous of any woman who licks her lips at you, which is about ten times a day, and I give no promises that I won’t go bat-shit crazy on them.” 

I smirked, waiting for him to turn and run into the car. Those words would send any commitmentphobe running. His eyes still watched me like he wanted to rip my dress right off me and take me against the car door. “I thought you said you were trying to turn me off, not on.” 

I blinked, thrown completely off guard. “What are you talking about?” 

I felt his heart beneath my hand pick up in tempo. For the first time, I felt it beating wildly. 

He glanced down at his chest. “Look at that,” he murmured, placing his hand over mine. “You have my heart in the palm of your hand.” 

Anger coursed through my veins. “Say it. I want to hear you say those three little words.” This would make him run for sure. 

He smirked. “I am hungry.” 

I growled. “The other three words.” 

His smirk remained. “I want you.” 

If he was going to play games, so be it. “No, I want to hear you say that you love me.” 

His eyes narrowed, his lips in a tight line. “Why? So you can break me? So, you can hear me tell you how I feel and then watch you walk back to him? Tell me you’ll get back in that car with me now, and I’ll say it.” 

I knew it was a dirty trick, but it was all I had left. Besides, Ben never played fair anyways. I shrugged nonchalantly. “Just as I thought. You’re incapable of the words, because you don’t know what it is.” 

Ben grabbed my arm and yanked me back to him so hard that I smacked into his chest. I stared up at him in shock, anger, and arousal. “You forget that I first watched, then listened to you fuck him in my apartment, in my bed. I listened to your moans of pleasure, your ‘Oh, yes, Brian,’ for hours on end all the while knowing that it should have been me in bed with you. Yet, I didn’t stop you from doing what you wanted. I didn’t try to rip you away from him while you tortured me every time you cried out his name.” He grabbed my face roughly. “So, don’t you dare fucking tell me that I don’t know what love is. Love is pain. It’s no coincidence that they’re both four letter words. And so is Anne.” 

A tear rolled down my eye, and his grip softened on my face. “I never meant to hurt you,” I whispered. “I don’t even remember that night. Everything after tossing the noodle onto your shirt is a complete blank to me.” 

“You might not remember it, princess, but I sure as hell can’t forget it.” 

I bristled at his words. “You want me to feel guilty for sleeping with Brian? How about the countless women over the last five years that you’ve slept with. Half of them you made out with in front of me! You’re upset that you’re the third man I slept with, but I’m your what? Five hundredth? Tell me how I should feel about that?!” I shouted. 

He shrugged, his lips still pulled in a tight line. “You shouldn’t give a fuck.” 

“Oh no? And why is that?” I asked while my blood temperature rose. 

“Because I would trade it all- every memory, every other woman for just one more night with you. That’s why you shouldn’t give a fuck. Because they never held a candle to you,” Ben replied matter-of-factly. My knees shook for a second, and I did not think that I was capable of being more turned on at that moment. How the hell did he always do this? “So, like I said before, if you’re going to run back to him, you need to fix my cock first and make it work again.” 

I smacked his chest hard. “No! I think I like it this way!” 

His eyes seared with pain. “You want to torture me? If you’re with him, you won’t give me a chance at some peace, some solace? If you’re happy with him, why do I have to be alone forever?” 

Tears streamed down my eyes as I felt my heart shutter at the unbearable weight pressed against it.  “I will not cheat,” I whispered over and over, while I shook my head wildly.  

His hand released my jaw, and it slid down my back, caressing me. It made me sob harder by just how incredible it felt. “I may not give you flowers all the time, or tell you that you’re beautiful a thousand times a day, or slow dance with you all the time like he does, but I know what I feel. And I know you feel it, too.” 

I yanked my body away from him. “Bye, Ben.”  

I didn’t wait for his response as I ran into the apartment building. Once in the elevator I pressed the button for my floor. I leaned back against the wall, barely able to breathe as tears streamed down my face. I hated saying goodbye to him, I hated that he kept chasing after me, I hated that I wanted him to, but most of all I hated how much of a bitch I felt saying goodbye to him. That feeling was becoming unbearable lately. 

I glanced at the stainless steel paneled wall, seeing the reflection of my teary self. “You’re better than this. Figure yourself out.” I wiped away the tears before stepping off the elevator, trying to pull myself together. 

Taking a deep breath, I opened the door to my apartment and found a tired Brian on the couch, flipping through TV channels. He glanced up at me, smiling. “You look breathtaking,” he greeted. 

I smiled at him before jumping into his arms. Wrapping his arms around me tightly, he kissed my forehead. “Is everything alright?” 

I nodded, hugging him tightly. “Now it is.” 

“I missed you,” he whispered in my ear.  

I hugged him tighter. “I missed you, too.” 

Brian pulled my body away from his, tilting my head back. “Are you okay?” he asked, his voice filled with concern. 

I nodded wearing a tight lipped smile. “I was just crying. It was a wedding and all.” 

“It seems like something else is bothering you, though,” he commented. 

My body was filled with aching raw need from Ben. I needed to suppress these feelings for him. Brian was my fiancé. If I just held on to Brian tighter, we’d be fine. That’s what I needed to do, hold on tighter to our love. The guilt I felt sat heavy on me. I should completely Brian’s; that’s what he deserved. But, I wasn’t. 

I lifted the hem of my dress and straddled him. I ran my hand over his body and felt his physical reaction towards me. Wordlessly, I slipped down his shorts and boxers and he raised his hips to aid me. Slipping him out, I pulled my underwear to the side and stopped momentarily. “Should I go get a condom?”  

His eyes burned brightly, filled with lust and love. “You’re going to be my wife. There’s no need.” 

With my hand firmly gripping his erection, I slid him inside me, watching his eyes roll back in pleasure.  Wrapping my arms around his neck, I kissed him deeply as I rolled my hips slowly. His fingers threaded through my hair, his other hand rested on my hip. We stay, deep, slow, connected as Brian’s love takes me to the height of ecstasy.  We come undone together, and he holds me to his chest tightly. Tears spill down my cheeks at the bitter sweetness of the moment. There was no way out of this without hurting one of them and myself in the process. But, Brian’s love was gentle, calm, enduring. It was the type of love futures were made from. 

When I lifted my head he kissed me deeply, and I sighed in contentment. 

 I pressed my forehead to his. “Help me out of this dress. I want to make you a nice, romantic dinner tonight.” 

“Oh, yeah?” he asked before kissing me again.  

I nodded. “You’ve been so wonderful lately. I just wanted to do something to show my appreciation.” 

I stood up and walked into the bedroom. He wasn’t far behind. Adoring fingers trailed down my arm as his lips pressed against my neck.  

“I have another idea.” He unzipped my dress. “Why don’t we order take out and spend the rest of the night in bed?” He slipped the straps of my gown down over my shoulders. The dress pooled at my feet. Brian kissed down my shoulder as his arm wrapped around my body, pulling me tightly against him. I could already feel his need against my lower back.  

Letting out a shaky breath, I nodded. “That’s one hell of a plan.”   

~ Links to Buy ~
to follow upon release on 11/15

~ Review ~

I was given an ARC by the Author in exchange for an honest review

This is the second book in this series and must be read in order to appreciate the AWESOMENESS that is Getting Back Annie!  I devoured this book for more than one reason but mainly for Ben Hurley.  Yes, he is not who Annie ends up with in Winning Back Ryan but Ben steals the show and my heart in the process. 

The story begins the 4^th of July weekend.  A weekend that Annie usually

spends out in the Hamptons with Ben, Max, George and Brian.  But this 

year Annie and Brian will be spending it as a couple with their families. 

And so it begins, Brian’s jealousy and insecurity.  He subtly insinuates 

that Annie should distance herself from the men in her life…..more 

importantly Ben.

I was a fan of Brian and Annie getting together in Winning Back Ryan

but in this book I was Team Ben all the way.  He is everything that Annie

needs and wants but she is too scared to admit it.  What she and Brian

have is easy and comfortable. What Annie has with Ben is explosive and

it rocks her to her core. 

Annie is still suffering from the after effects from her encounter with

Ryan. She is having bad dreams almost nightly and Brian is unable to 

help her since she had not shared the details of the attack with 

him….just Ben.   They speak regularly and he seems to be the only 

person who can help Annie find her way through the darkness.

I loved Ben! Yep, no sugar coating it!  Almost everything that came out 

of his mouth was laced with sexual innuendo or a raw honesty.  He was

determined to protect Annie and help her heal.  Ben accepts Annie and 

all of her imperfections, so she when she is with him she can just be.

“Just when I think that there’s no hope, when I think that I need to give 

up on you, somehow you do something brilliant.  Every. Fucking. Time.

And all this…….chaos around me makes some sense again.  So, thank

you for being you.” ~ Ben

I was glad to see that Brian’s meddling and control issues over Annie
and her relationships was thrust into her view.  It reinforced that she had

options.  That he wasn’t the only one for her.

Although Annie is conflicted, she can’t get Ben out of her mind or her

dreams.  Cigarette anyone?   Then just when I think Ben and Annie may

have their moment….I get the moment and then its gone and there is

another twist and turn that keeps them apart.

“Calling you before walking into that apartment with Ryan is the best

decision I’ve ever made”, I whispered.  His eyes shot with pain, so I tried

to explain.  “Ever since that day, I feel safe and secure with you. More 

than I have ever felt in my entire life with anyone else.  Ever. I don’t 

know why exactly but I trust you implicitly.” He opened his mouth to

speak but closed it.  “I sleep with the turtle you gave me every night.  

Did you know that? You just make everything better.”  ~ Annie 

There were several times in the story that I wanted to shake Annie and

tell her to pick Ben!  Stop running between them and pick the one that 

not only makes you feel but makes you feel alive.  I get that you can 

“love” more than one person but you can only truly be “in love” with

one.  Don’t get me wrong, Ben was not an angel in all of this either.  But

I appreciated his determination to get what he wanted and his 

willingness to let Annie figure things out for herself.

Now I won’t say that I was thrilled with the ending of this book, cause I

wasn’t.  But the author was being true to her characters and a HEA just

wouldn’t have fit at this time.  So I will be hanging on to the edge of my

seat waiting to see what is next for Annie, Brian and Ben…..hoping all 

the while that someday soon Ben will get his HEA too.  I cannot

recommend this series enough….so if you haven’t had a chance to read 

it…go grab it, its AMAZING!

~ Rating ~

See where it all began……

Synopsis

After a horrible day at work, I came home to find my boyfriend...in a curious position. After determining why he was unhappy, I, Anne Watson, decided to try and fix our broken relationship. My four closest male friends, however, had another idea. Revenge. 

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 ~ About the Author ~

She loves going to NJ diners on the weekend for inspiration, drinks a pot of coffee a day, and loves finding new 

music to add to her playlist. 

 Author to Just Good Friends and Winning Back Ryan. 

Office Perks, and Sirens and Sweethearts are soon to be released.  

~ Five Fun Facts ~

1.   I am a chocoholic. I have reserve stashes strewn about my house. 

2.   I grew up horse-back riding and competed seriously. Instead of turning pro, I went to college instead. 

3.   My favorite color is purple. 

4.  I have thirteen piercings on my body-9 in my ears, 1 in my nose, 1 in my labret, 2 in my belly button.  

5.   Large crowds make me nervous. 

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