Shifting Gears by Jenny Hayut with Giveaway, Fun Facts, Playlist, Excerpt & Review

Title: Shifting Gears
Author: Jenny Hayut
Release Date: May 14, 2014
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When safe, sensible, and ever-awkward veterinarian Nicolette (Niki) Stringer first lays eyes on bounty hunter Holt Maddox, all she can think is badass. He leaves her breathless from the start, and she soon becomes addicted to him and the bliss he gives her. Then, just like that, he leaves, taking Niki’s heart and confidence with him. When Holt returns to Coral Springs three years later, it seems he wants to pick up where he left off: with Niki in his bed. But there are unanswered questions, and soon she will discover shocking truths that leave her torn between her desires and protecting herself from heartbreak again.

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If someone had told me two weeks ago that I would be in Sammy's, in the middle of the night, in one of the cramped stalls in the bathroom, fucking myself, I would've laughed. This is not something I do. But the thought of Holt only feet away, sitting in that booth, overcomes me with such raging desire that I can't help but thrust my fingers in and out of my wetness to ease the pain. I moan, unable to control the sound of my pleasure, praying to God no one walks in at that exact moment. -­ Niki Stringer

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“You're drunk. Your friends weren't looking out for you. That fucker in there is lucky I didn't break his goddamn neck for touching you like he did. I knew you were watching me, so I fucking held back. Dug deep for that shit, babe.” - Holt Maddox

Lonely Is the Night - Billy Squier
Back In Black - AC/DC
Tangled Up in You - (Acoustic) Aaron Lewis
Everything Changes - (Acoustic) Staind
Secrets - One Republic
Black - Pearl Jam
Secret Garden - Bruce Springsteen
Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall - Coldplay
Landslide - Fleetwood Mac
Babe - Styx
And I'm Aching - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Broken - (Live Acoustic) Seether
Don't Go Away - Buckcherry
Waiting Here - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Hell and High Water (Holt's Song to Niki) - (Acoustic) Black Stone Cherry
Suddenly - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Still of the Night - Whitesnake
Radar Love (Ode to Sex on Wheels) - Golden Earring
Simple Man - Lynyrd Skynyrd
The Only Time - Nine Inch Nails
That's What I Get - Nine Inch Nails
Something I Can Never Have - Nine Inch Nails

My “The Rox” was inspired by a local landmark and music venue The Norva. I spend a lot of time here as I love music and love hearing new sounds. It is very much as I describe The Rox and the “real” boys of Galaxy Dynamite have played there many times. You won't find a Gavin though nor will it be sounds of rock that come from their instruments. They along with my nephew (who I'm very proud of and who was equally stoked that I put his band in the book) who is the drummer play more psychadelic trance style music.
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I wrote most of this book on my lunch hours at work.
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I took a poll from my coworkers when deciding on names for my characters...Holt was not a favorite...
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The inspiration for Holt came from a longtime friend who really was a bounty hunter, and really drove a 67 Buick Special (that car was sweeet and could fly) and every woman to him is “sweets.”

I was born and raised in Virginia, in a military town. I know you're thinking it....yes...lots of hot men...in uniform...sweet...I know.
I am married and have two beautiful children. They along with our extremely spoiled beagle mix Georgia that we rescued from a local shelter, keep me busy. It's really like four kids and me. Ya'll know what I'm saying.
When I'm not working, or writing, or eating or sleeping (wait what's that) I love to be outdoors. I'm on the coast so I love the beach. The Outer Banks is the shiz. Hiking and getting my hands dirty in my flower beds is another favorite.
Any given time you might find me reading a book, watching a race, signing up for a ghost tour, watching a vampire or a motorcycle gang on TV (yeah that one) or making plans to travel further south (it's where my heart is). Oh and if you have heard...it's true I don't share my baklava...that stuff is sacred.

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My Review: 5 stars

This was a damn good book. Sometimes I didn't know whether Niki was coming or going, but in her defense, neither did she. I loved that she gave her whole heart to everything, including this man that broke her. Holt, one minute I hated him, the next he would do or say something that just made me go completely the other direction. I will say that the story pulled me in and made me care about Niki and Holt. I wanted them to figure their shit out and find a way back to each other. Then the book ended, and with the way that it ended I have no idea what's going on. I think I do, I hope I do, for Niki's sake. Because those last few pages just gutted me and ripped my heart out with unsaid implications. I am waiting for the next book, Gaining Ground, not real patiently, because I need it now. Jenny did a fantastic job with a story line that kept you guessing and moving along at a really nice pace. Her characters were great and I am looking forward to getting to know them even better in the next book. 

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