Monday, January 21, 2013

"Something Beautiful"

Something Beautiful
Lauren Milton has always followed the rules, but when she meets Antony Marcos, she discovers just how much fun it is to do her own thing. When Antony, the bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks, professes his love for her, her life is complete. He's her soul mate, but when she finds that he's harboring secrets, can she forgive him?

Antony is terrified that his secrets will destroy their relationship when Lauren finds out the truth. Does he tell the truth and face losing her or continue his activities, possibly placing her in danger? Can they make things work even though her family and friends are against him?

Lauren has PTSD from the car accident that killed her boyfriend and her mother. Can she face her greatest fears while risking everything for the guy she loves? Can they overcome the obstacles facing them to find their happily ever after?
EXCERPT

He placed his hand in the small of my back, steering me around a puddle of saltwater, and I shivered even though the night air was warm. I closed my eyes. I must be dreaming. I couldn't possibly be walking down the beach with Antony Marcos.

I didn't want the moment to end, the night to end. Something deep inside of him communicated with something deep inside of me, leaving me with a feeling of safety and love that I hadn't felt in a long time. I savored the moment, taking in the moon, the stars, and the cool feel of the wet sand beneath my feet.

A woman in a dark sweat suit jogged by, her German shepherd close at her side. A toddler squealed in delight somewhere close by, but as far as I was concerned, we were the only two people in the universe.

I turned my attention back to the hunk beside me. I loved everything about Antony. I was falling fast and terrified of the damage he could do to my heart.

He paused and looked out over the water. "I love it here. I'm just so at peace near the ocean."

He pulled me into his arms, and a shiver of delight surged through me. Our eyes locked, and I wondered if he'd read my mind and somehow knew I'd give everything I owned for just one kiss. He paused as if uncertain.

I was lost in the moment. I wasn't sure how to encourage him to kiss me without seeming easy. He didn't move, merely stood there, his body rigid against mine.

When he finally moved, it wasn't as I'd planned. Antony's lips kissed my forehead and my cheeks, still denying me what I longed for, which was a kiss passionate enough to take my breath away.

I threw caution to the wind. Reaching up, I ran my fingers through his hair and pulled his head down. Once our lips met, Antony quickly took the lead. I melted into him, our heartbeats blending as his lips whispered across mine in a dance as old as eternity.

He pulled away first, leaving me breathless, but longing for more.

23 comments:

  1. thanks for the chance to read your novel, k dawn

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  2. Excited to have found this blog!!

    Darla
    Rosesbloom92 at gmail

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  3. thanks for chance to win

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  4. Dawn, you write so smoothly, I'm looking forward to reading this.
    johudd@bellsouth.net

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  5. Thanks for the chance!

    andrealschultz at gmail dot com

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  6. Loved the excerpt!! Thanks for the giveaway!

    marissamehresman(at)aol(dot)com

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  7. Sounds like my kind of book. Thanks for the giveaway!
    Jackie Smith

    jackie.smith[at]dishmail[dot]net

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  8. Sounds like a great book. Thanks for the opportunity. ladyoftruefaith@gmail.com

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  9. would love to win

    aimymichelle[at]gmail[dot]com

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  10. This is my favorite book of every book I've written so far. I think there love is Something Beautiful. They face many obstacles and that's what made it so much fun to write.

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  11. I would love to win this book.I also love Myrtle Beach,nothing like getting up before the sun rises and going out on the beach,collecting sea shells and watching the sun rise.Thanks...jackie_tessnair@yahoo.com

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  12. I don't know why, but I had never associated PTSD with any trauma other than military. Of course such an horrific accident would affect you very deeply.

    It is a beautiful cover.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  13. Mary:
    Any type of trauma can bring on PTSD, even something we'd consider a lesser trauma. I attended a conference (I'm in the mental health field) where a veteran suffering from PTSD spoke. He was in his 20s and I enjoyed hearing about his experiences. One comment that he made was that a friend of his had PTSD and never saw combat, but cleaned up the military vehicles that came back in from the field. Sometimes, there was blood on them. He said that this was the worst case of PTSD he'd ever seen. I found that very interesting.

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  14. Congratulations on your book release:)

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  15. This book sounds good! Thanks for the chance to win it! makeighleekyleigh at yahoo.com

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  16. Thanks for this great giveaway! Would love the chance to win both the certificate and your book! :-)
    LyndaLeeSchab at yahoo dot com

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  17. Whew, what an excerpt! Please add me. :)
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

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  18. I really enjoyed reading the excerpt! Thanks for doing this giveaway!Please add me sunydey26@aol.com

    God bless

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  19. Great excerpt. Keeps a reader wanting more! Thanks for this giveaway!

    Blessings!
    Judy
    judyjohn2004(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  20. I'm glad you guys liked the excerpt! The book was a lot of fun to write.

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  21. Myrtle Beach is one of my favorite places too. Great book cover!

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  22. Phyllis: It's been snowy here and you're making me want to head to the beach!

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  23. I have already read your book and it was awesome. I can’t get the characters out of my head and I have already re-read the book twice.

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