Release Date: November 3rd, 2015
Book Description:
Allie Sanders thinks life in a small town can’t get any more dull and boring. She plans to escape after graduation. After a bad break-up, she wants to sail through junior year without distraction. Then the mysterious loner sits down in front of her in AP English. He’s the guy she noticed last year desperately trying to stay invisible. She wants to know his secrets. Suddenly her much older military brother, Doug, makes a rare appearance. He takes a special interest in her life. Suspicious of his motives Allie holds back, never really trusting him. Doug wants what she wants—the boy she has come to love. No way would she let that happen. She’d go against family and friends to protect him—and his secrets—even if it ends up breaking her heart.
Class hadn’t started so I talked to the back of his head. I gave up trying to talk to the front. “I want to thank you for helping me out the first day of school. I wasn’t in trouble or anything, just an ex wanting to talk. I didn’t want to talk and that’s what you saw ... or heard. How did you hear me?” I paused for a response but nothing. Thinking back to that day, I thought it odd that he came out of nowhere and knew I wanted Josh to let go of my arm. We blended in with the crowd. We weren’t yelling or fighting. To a passersby, Josh had his hand on my arm.
The grateful teen girl routine wasn’t working so I went with another approach. “And, by the way, how did you know I needed rescuing? Or if I wanted rescuing? Maybe I want to get back with my ex and you ruined it.” I let out a loud huff, hoping he felt my frustration. “Anyway, I’m not going back to him, in case you’re interested. I have big plans to get out of this town as soon as I graduate. A boyfriend would complicate things.” I poked him in the back. “Got it?”
I swear his shoulders moved up and down with laughter. “What’s your name? First name that is, Mr. Montgomery.”
He shook his head slowly back and forth. I couldn’t tell if he found me impossible or was answering “no”. I poked him once more for good measure and then stopped. Mrs. Greene walked to the front of her desk. The signal class would begin.
During her lecture, I obsessed on how to get the guy in front of me to open up. Maybe I should ask him about his tattoo. It’d make a great conversation starter. So what does XXIX mean? Are you in a cult? A gang? I chuckled at the thought then frowned. My brother’s out to get you, so watch out. Why did I feel suddenly protective of Heathcliff?
A better idea hit me. Follow the secretive Mr. Montgomery. Thank you, Mr. Whitmore, for issuing my parking pass. I had to wait a few days, but the Jeep now sat right outside, ready to go at a moment’s notice.
As soon as the bell rang, I rushed for my locker, forgetting to wait for Ashley. Out of breath, she caught up with me. “What’s the hurry? Are you meeting Josh? Did he dump Chloe?”
“I’m going to follow him, Ash.” I stared into my friend’s hazel eyes and saw confusion.
“Josh?”
“No, Heathcliff,” I whispered and exhaled at the same time.
About the Author
Born and raised in Northeast Ohio, Nancy currently resides in Mentor, Ohio with her husband and their college-age son, plus a delightfully entertaining lovebird. She secretly wrote short stories as a child, typed them up and put them in a drawer. She’d give anything to see those stories one more time. Her writing is influenced by all the years of working with young people as a teacher and raising her own son. When not writing, Nancy loves to travel with her husband and enjoys a good cup of tea.
Allie Sanders thinks life in a small town can’t get any more dull and boring. She plans to escape after graduation. After a bad break-up, she wants to sail through junior year without distraction. Then the mysterious loner sits down in front of her in AP English. He’s the guy she noticed last year desperately trying to stay invisible. She wants to know his secrets. Suddenly her much older military brother, Doug, makes a rare appearance. He takes a special interest in her life. Suspicious of his motives Allie holds back, never really trusting him. Doug wants what she wants—the boy she has come to love. No way would she let that happen. She’d go against family and friends to protect him—and his secrets—even if it ends up breaking her heart.
Excerpt
Class hadn’t started so I talked to the back of his head. I gave up trying to talk to the front. “I want to thank you for helping me out the first day of school. I wasn’t in trouble or anything, just an ex wanting to talk. I didn’t want to talk and that’s what you saw ... or heard. How did you hear me?” I paused for a response but nothing. Thinking back to that day, I thought it odd that he came out of nowhere and knew I wanted Josh to let go of my arm. We blended in with the crowd. We weren’t yelling or fighting. To a passersby, Josh had his hand on my arm.
The grateful teen girl routine wasn’t working so I went with another approach. “And, by the way, how did you know I needed rescuing? Or if I wanted rescuing? Maybe I want to get back with my ex and you ruined it.” I let out a loud huff, hoping he felt my frustration. “Anyway, I’m not going back to him, in case you’re interested. I have big plans to get out of this town as soon as I graduate. A boyfriend would complicate things.” I poked him in the back. “Got it?”
I swear his shoulders moved up and down with laughter. “What’s your name? First name that is, Mr. Montgomery.”
He shook his head slowly back and forth. I couldn’t tell if he found me impossible or was answering “no”. I poked him once more for good measure and then stopped. Mrs. Greene walked to the front of her desk. The signal class would begin.
During her lecture, I obsessed on how to get the guy in front of me to open up. Maybe I should ask him about his tattoo. It’d make a great conversation starter. So what does XXIX mean? Are you in a cult? A gang? I chuckled at the thought then frowned. My brother’s out to get you, so watch out. Why did I feel suddenly protective of Heathcliff?
A better idea hit me. Follow the secretive Mr. Montgomery. Thank you, Mr. Whitmore, for issuing my parking pass. I had to wait a few days, but the Jeep now sat right outside, ready to go at a moment’s notice.
As soon as the bell rang, I rushed for my locker, forgetting to wait for Ashley. Out of breath, she caught up with me. “What’s the hurry? Are you meeting Josh? Did he dump Chloe?”
“I’m going to follow him, Ash.” I stared into my friend’s hazel eyes and saw confusion.
“Josh?”
“No, Heathcliff,” I whispered and exhaled at the same time.
About the AuthorBorn and raised in Northeast Ohio, Nancy currently resides in Mentor, Ohio with her husband and their college-age son, plus a delightfully entertaining lovebird. She secretly wrote short stories as a child, typed them up and put them in a drawer. She’d give anything to see those stories one more time. Her writing is influenced by all the years of working with young people as a teacher and raising her own son. When not writing, Nancy loves to travel with her husband and enjoys a good cup of tea.
Author Links:
***GIVEAWAY***
Question to the author: how did you come up with the names of the main characters?
ReplyDeleteVery interesting question, Mai. Allison is a family name and I just liked Lucas!
DeleteI enjoyed the excerpt, thanks for the chance to win :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
DeleteThanks for hosting me! NP :)
ReplyDeleteGreat cover.
ReplyDeleteI love the cover. Wait until you see the rest of the series! :)
DeleteThanks for sharing this book. The blurb is fantastic.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Steph. That means a lot!
DeleteEnjoyed the excerpt - looks like an interesting book.
ReplyDeleteThanks, sweetpea! I'm glad you like it.
DeleteGreat post, thank you for sharing! Awesome cover!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Betty!
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