Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Break Me (The Summer Series #1) by Harper James with Giveaway, Excerpt, 10 Fun Facts, Dreamcast & Review




Gemma Andrews doesn’t trust men. 

She’s been left with a bitter taste in her mouth after her father left her mother while she was still pregnant, for another woman, and started a whole new perfect family. Gemma doesn’t feel like she belongs with her father’s family—with her family—and has done everything she can to push them all away. 

One summer, her last summer stuck with these people, is about to change all of that.

Abe North, the hunky night guard she meets by chance, breaks down Gemma’s carefully built cinderblock walls, and shows her what she’s been missing out on. He helps her to reconnect with the brother and sister she has kept at a safe distance all these years. In the end, maybe, just maybe, Abe can show Gemma that all men aren’t bad and that he’ll be the one who’ll be there for her.

But is Gemma ready to accept love?

Or is she too broken?
 

Break Me

Harper James


Release Date: June 10 2014

Photography & Cover Designer: Emily & Daniel

Teaser

 

Purchase Links

Ten Fun Facts (It turned into 12 because I am just that fun.)

1. I was 6 weeks pregnant the day we adopted our son... and 10 weeks pregnant before I knew.
2. I can only watch my favorite movie, Life as a House, once a year because of how much it makes me ugly cry.
3. I have an unhealthy obsession with Emma Stone, thus my short run as a redhead.
4. I have a tattoo on my wrist that makes me feel like a rebel every time I see it.
5. My husband likes my books. This may seem silly to most but when your man loves to read a girly love story you wrote, it's pretty much awesome.
6. I've never broken a bone or sprained anything. (Knock on wood)
7. I do not listen to music when I write, it distracts me, however, songs always inspire scenes and even books. I also have to have music to edit or I will lose my mind.
8. My celebrity crush, and the only man I'm allowed to leave my husband for, is John Krasinski.
9. I hate, hate, hate beach vacations. They bore me to death. I love big cities with a lot to do. I'll be vising NYC for a week in September.
10. I tried grape hooka once and now if I smell grape leaves I gag and run.
11. I have a degree in accounting and don't use it AT ALL.
12. I hate bananas but love banana pudding and banana bread.  

Excerpt  

Hours later Gemma made her way down the beach and kept her eyes peeled for Abe. He was supposed to be waiting for her just down the road from her house but he hadn’t been there. They had been apart for two hours and she already ached for him. She knew it was only going to get worse as they took things to the next level and she couldn’t make herself care. Slightly annoyed that he still wasn’t in sight she kicked a rock as she rounded the corner that brought her to the first entrance to the public beach. As she closed the gate behind herself she turned and her eyes rounded in surprise. “Abe,” she took a few steps closer so they could hear each other better, “what is this?”

            He smiled as he walked up to meet her, “I remember you saying that if it was possible to sleep in a hammock out here you would.”

            She quickly took the last couple of steps that separated them and jumped, wrapping her arms around his neck. “It’s perfect. You are so damn perfect.” She smiled as he wrapped one arm around her waist and pulled her knees up with the other, carrying her to the hammock.

“As you’ve seen the past couple nights we have about two hours before they show up at the bakery. We won’t do anything you don’t want to do. We won’t go any further than you want to go. But, Gemma, I’m begging you, please just let me kiss you a little more tonight.”  He lowered her on to the hammock and then eased himself up beside her. They rolled toward the middle, facing one another.

            “How can I tell you to stop when you haven’t started?”

“Good point,” he placed his hand on her thigh and started working it up her leg. She immediately reached down and stopped his progress.

            “I’m sorry.” She winced as he quickly pulled back.

            “Stop,” he whispered as he pulled her chin up so she would look into his eyes. “Don’t apologize.”

            “But I acted all tough and then you touch me and-“

            “And I should have known better than to push it so far so soon.” He rolled so he was back on his side and pulled her head onto his chest. “I will do anything for you, Gem. And that includes taking our time so I can prove to you that I’m in this thing.”

            “And what if that means you are waiting on me until our wedding night?” It dawned on her what she had said and she considered rolling out of the hammock and running for it until he spoke.

            “One, just the fact that you can think of us and wedding day shows how much you are already starting to trust me. Two, if that’s the case then I take my wife to bed and discover her like millions of men have done before me.” He gently kissed the top of her head and the word swoon flashed through her mind. “You, Gemma Andrews, are worth the wait.”

My Review: 4 1/2 stars
What a great book! I loved reading about the challenges that Gemma faced and her overcoming beliefs long held. Yes, her family did fall apart, but it wasn't her fault. I hate it when kids take on that kind of responsibility, there's not really anything you can do about it, except to reassure your kids that it isn't their fault. I really enjoyed reading about Gemma finally connecting with her half-siblings, Kate and Gray. I do hate that when Gemma decided to open up to caring about someone else, it turned out to be so hurtful to her. I did love that she gave Abe a chance, despite what had happened to her in the past. I loved that Abe was so gentle and caring with Gemma. Abe was so patient, willing to wait for Gemma to be ready to care for him the way that he was coming to care for her. They were adorable together, really. Harper really showed how young adults go through so much, and are so resilient, even when they feel broken inside. I loved that Gemma was able to let go of the past and see the possibility of a happy future for herself. This was a fantastic book, and I can't wait for more. Great characters (even the ones we love to hate) and a well written story line made this a read that was difficult to put down thanks to Harper.

Dreamcast

About the Author


Harper James currently lives in Louisiana. When she isn’t admiring her husband, the rock star, or playing with her baby boy and girl, the two cutest kids ever made, she can be found either reading or writing one of the many books she has floating around in her head. She has an unhealthy addiction to all things romance and will always fight for a happy ending. 

Follow Harper

Facebook | Instagram: harperjameswrites | Twitter: @HarperMJames | Blog 

Giveaway

  



1 comment: