SYNOPSIS & CHAPTER 1 REVEAL: Enforce by Rachel Van Dyken





There’s two sides to every story...

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

Even closer...


 iTunes / B&N / KOBO




CHAPTER 1


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





Elect:

Entice:
 B&N

Elicit: 


BANG BANG:
 B&N





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

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











      
   

EXCERPT REVEAL: What's Left of Us by Amanda Maxlyn

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 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?


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Book Information: Release Date 11/14/2014
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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.

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What’s Left of Me (book one)

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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.


About the Author:
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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.




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