Title - Promise Me Always
Author - Kari March
Genre - New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Release Date - Feb 11th 2014
Synopsis
Blake
Bentley had a rough upbringing, never fully believing he was good enough for
anything or anyone. After being left with a broken heart by his only
girlfriend, Blake swore off relationships for good and turned to the only two
things that made him feel sufficient - sex and firefighting.
Tessa Collins was brought up in the traditional 'perfect' family - loving parents, great sister, and amazing friends. After falling in love with Jared, her life was perfect - until he betrayed her. She has no idea that his betrayal could end up costing her more than just a shattered heart.
Blake and Tessa have been friends since high school. Never wanting to admit their attraction for each other, the two always remained close friends. Now, three years later, Blake and Tessa find themselves being pulled together by a force much greater than friendship.
Blake and Tessa have promised to be friends forever, but as fate pulls them together, they embark on a roller coaster ride of a lifetime. Will his self doubt and her insecurities keep them apart? Or will they be able to promise each other always?
Tessa Collins was brought up in the traditional 'perfect' family - loving parents, great sister, and amazing friends. After falling in love with Jared, her life was perfect - until he betrayed her. She has no idea that his betrayal could end up costing her more than just a shattered heart.
Blake and Tessa have been friends since high school. Never wanting to admit their attraction for each other, the two always remained close friends. Now, three years later, Blake and Tessa find themselves being pulled together by a force much greater than friendship.
Blake and Tessa have promised to be friends forever, but as fate pulls them together, they embark on a roller coaster ride of a lifetime. Will his self doubt and her insecurities keep them apart? Or will they be able to promise each other always?
**Content is for +18yrs. **
Excerpt:
Tessa POV
Just then, my whole body came alive,
reacting involuntarily to a presence behind me. I didn’t even need to turn
around—I knew instantly, it was Blake. My body reacted to him before my mind
even knew he was there. Whether he wanted me or not, he owned me, body, heart
and soul. He always would.
“I’m cutting in,” Blake demanded,
starting to take a step in between Shane and me. I wondered briefly if Blake
had requested this song. Maybe he was trying to tell me something….maybe this
was how he was going to apologize.
Shane immediately took a step forward,
blocking Blake from breaking us a part. “I don’t think so, bro. Tess and I were
having a nice conversation and I would prefer to finish it—alone. Now, if you don’t mind….” Shane’s voice trailed off as he
looked back at me, completely ignoring Blake, and grabbed my waist lightly. He
tried moving our bodies to the music, but I couldn’t move. I stood there,
anchored to the floor, watching Blake’s reaction; I could feel the fury
radiating off of him.
His mouth formed into a
thin line and his fists balled at his sides. I could see his breathing pick up,
causing me to hold mine. With his jaw clenched tight, he murmured, “I’m going
to say this one more time, Shane, and if you don’t back away from her, I will
make you. Do you understand? I’m cutting in.” Shane must have seen the wrath in
Blake’s eyes because he instantly released his hold on me and backed away,
looking defeated and annoyed.
As Shane walked away, Blake never took
his eyes off of him—daring him to turn around. I was relieved that I was saved
from Shane’s questioning, but a little annoyed that it was Blake that came to
my rescue. I wasn’t ready to face him so soon after he spit those harsh words
at me, deflating my hopes of us ever being together and breaking my heart.
“Come on. We need to talk.” He took my
hand and started leading me towards the stairs.
I pulled my hand away, still angry with
him. Did he really just expect me to follow him like some little puppy? “I
don’t think so, Blake. You made your self pretty clear outside. I get it okay?
We’re not together. Point taken,” I said, trying to reign in my emotions. “What
else is there to talk about?” I crossed my arms over my chest and planted my
feet. There was no way I was budging.
“Tess, please I….I need to talk to you.
I need to explain a few things. If you don’t like what you hear, you can leave
and I won’t stop you. Please.” He started to take a step towards me, his hand
extended to touch my face, but stopped when I took a step back.
“No, thank you,” I stated. I wasn’t
ready to talk. I didn’t want to face him. He was going to leave and I wasn’t
ready to be let go.
“Seriously, Tess, stop acting like a
child and talk to me about this. I know you're upset and I know I acted like a
dick. But please, just let me explain.” I narrowed my eyes at him. Did he really just call me a child?
“Don’t make me throw you over my
shoulder and carry you upstairs,” he warned, raising his eyebrow. His features
softened into a playful expression.
“You wouldn’t dare,” I sneered, lifting
my chin in defiance.
Blake shrugged. “Watch me, baby girl,”
he growled, picking me up and flinging me over his shoulder like I was a rag
doll.
“Put me down, Blake!” I screamed,
flailing my arms and hitting him in the back. I knew it was no use to struggle,
but I wasn’t going to stop—I wasn’t going down without a fight.
“No, we need to talk,” he muttered,
squeezing my legs a little harder with his forearm for emphasis. “If you
weren’t so stubborn, you could be walking right now.” He chuckled as I
repeatedly hit him in the back. “You hit like a girl, you know that?” he teased,
only infuriating me further.
“I am
a girl, jackass!” I yelled, still pounding his back with my fists.
I heard Lexi, Avery and Palmer all laugh
from the corner by the stairs. As we passed, I shot them all dirty looks. “Some
best friends you are!” I yelled from the stairs. They all just winked at me and
laughed some more.
Book Trailer
Playlist
My Review: 4 stars
This was a good story. I liked how the title played into the many conversations throughout the book between Blake and Tessa. I thought it interesting how the people in the book seemed to always be hiding the things that have made them who they are today and judging themselves for those things. I liked that Blake and Tessa thought they knew each other so well and they did, but they also didn't, because of those things I mentioned. Blake and Tessa complimented each other in every way. They each made the other a better person. I loved that Blake was there for Tessa when she needed him the most. And that was when things started going back in the right direction for them. I absolutely loved the ending of the book, how they were with each other. Amazing what love can do.
Author Bio
I am a new
adult contemporary author that is currently working on my first novel, Promise
Me Always. I am a wife, mother of 2 amazing kiddos, photographer and owner
at K23 Photography & Design,
graphic designer and cover designer at K23 Designs, as well as an avid reader and blogger at A Book Whores Obsession! I have been married since 2004 to
the most amazing man ever and together we have two amazing children.
I was born
in Aurora, CO and still reside their today with my amazing family. I couldn’t
imagine living anywhere else in the world. I have become accustom to bi-polar
weather living here and I absolutely love getting all four seasons (although
winters could be a bit shorter.)
I have a
small obsession with Starbucks and gummy bears! They make the perfect writing snack!
Wine helps a lot too especially with the late night writing sessions. I love
the summer and everything that goes along with it, camping, swimming, boating,
hiking, etc. I love to travel and Disneyland is one of my family's favorite
places to visit together. I have a dream of visiting so many places in the
world such as Italy, Greece, Australia, Fiji, Bora Bora and New Zealand (just
to name a few.)
I have met
so many amazing people in this journey so far and I cannot wait to see what the
future holds.
Author Links
Facebook - http://facebook.com/karimarchauthor
Website - http://karimarchauthor.wordpress.com
Email - karimarchauthor@gmail.com
Twitter - @kmarch23
No comments:
Post a Comment