New Release & Giveaway: Date Me by Jillian Dodd

 

Title:  Date Me (The Keatyn Chronicles, #3)

Author:  Jillian Dodd

Release date:  Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Genre: Romance

Age Group:  Young Adult/New Adult

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16173484-date-me

Event organized by: AToMR Tours

Book Description:

I’m not scripting my life anymore.

I’m living it.

I’m done with the God of all Hotties.

I’m going to give my heart to the boy who I think deserves it.

The boy whose kisses are hotter than molten lava.

The boy who offered me the key to his heart.

The boy who asked me to Homecoming in a big, sexy way.

There are so many things to look forward to.

Parties at the Cave. Homecoming festivities. Drama Tryouts. Shopping trips to NY.

But things aren’t always as perfect as they seem.

I find out that my best friend has been keeping a secret from me.

Not that I can blame him. 

I have secrets too.

But, for now, I’m going to pretend I’m just a normal girl.

I’m going to pretend he’s not still out there.

I’m going to pretend he’s not getting desperate.

I’m going to pretend I’ll never see him again.

But, I will.

And this time, I might not get away.

About the Author 

Jillian Dodd grew up on a farm in Nebraska, where she developed a love for Midwestern boys and Nebraska football. She has drank from a keg in a cornfield, attended the University of Nebraska, got to pass her candle, and did have a boy ask her to marry him in a bar. She met her own prince in college, and they have two amazing children, a Maltese named Sugar Bear, and two Labrador puppies named Camber Lacy and Cali Lucy.

She is the author of the That Boy Trilogy and The Keatyn Chronicles Series.

Jillian Dodd | Facebook | Twitter

Purchase Links:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/14A1cPK

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/XJlwce

Author social media links:

website:  www.jilliandodd.net

facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/JillianDodd1

 

twitter:  https://twitter.com/JillianDodd

 

 

 

**Giveaway**

 

 

 

 

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Cover Reveal: Fractured Souls by Jessica Sorensen

I am in LOVE with this Cover!

 Summary

Gemma thought she had said her good-byes and had felt every possible emotion she could before her soul was detached again. Deep down inside, she hoped she’d never wake up from it because, in her eyes, life without emotion and memories isn’t worth living.

But she does wake up and discovers she can still feel and remember everything she experienced over the last few months. Alex is also telling her that everything’s okay, that he didn’t betray her, and that what she thought happened really didn’t. 

Gemma isn’t sure if she can trust Alex, so she tries to keep her distance from him, even though the electric connection and her desire make it nearly impossible. The only person she can trust is Laylen, but even that becomes complicated when the lines of their friendship begin to blur.

While Gemma struggles with her emotions and relationships, she searches for her mother, entering a dangerous world of secrets, seduction, and evil. The further she digs into her mother’s secrets and past, the more she wonders what waits for her at the end of her search and if maybe some things are better left in the dark.

Expected release: June 2013

Teaser: Laylen POV 

Vladislav strikes a match on the table and then puts the flame to the end of the cigar that’s in his mouth. He lights the end and then takes a deep inhale, puffing on it, before exhaling. “I want one thing in exchange for the information you’re asking me for.” He shakes the match until the flame goes out and then he flicks it onto the table.

Gemma squirms and I hear her pulse accelerate and skip a beat. I don’t know why I do it, but for some reason I take her hand and hold it underneath the table. The gesture seems to calm her, but it has the opposite effect on me and the need to bring my fangs out is overwhelming. I usually have more control than this but there’s something about her—or maybe it’s just this place—that’s making my hunger a bit more ravenous.

“What do you want?” I ask Vladislav and tense when Gemma digs her fingers into my wrist. The whole damn room smells like blood and sweat. It’s venomous, intoxicating and my mouth is starting to salivate.

He smiles, giving us both a full view of his fangs. “How about a little fun in exchange for what you ask?”

“Fun,” I say warily, cocking my eyebrow. “I highly doubt that, at least not fun for us.”

He holds the cigar between his fingers as he leans back in the chair. “But it’ll be fun for me.” He props his boot up on his knee and takes another puff from the cigar, blowing out a cloud of smoke. “You bite the girl and I’ll give you the information.”

I stiffen and Gemma’s breath catches in her throat, her hand clutching onto mine as her pulse accelerates. “No way,” I say, but it takes a lot of effort. I can already feel my fangs stabbing at my gums, wanting to come out, just by the mention of drinking her blood.

Vladislav shrugs nonchalantly, the corners of his lips tugging upward into a smile. “Then no deal.” He taps the end of his cigar and ashes fall to the floor.

I glance around the room at the vampires watching us, some feeding off humans, others dazed from their recent blood feast. Is this what I’ll become? Or am I already one of them?

“He’ll do it,” Gemma says suddenly from beside me. She removes her hand from mine and places her arm on top of the table. Her skin is pale in the inadequate light and I can see the lines of her veins, violently pumping blood through her body, making her heart rate increase.

It’s all I can think about—all I can see. My eyes start to shut and my lips part as my fangs slip out. The urge to bite her begins to consume me and I know I'm going to lose control.

 About the Author

The New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Jessica Sorensen, lives in the snowy mountains of Wyoming. When she's not writing, she spends her time reading and hanging out with her family.

The beautiful Author, Jessica Sorensen

Author Links

Goodreads book link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17448194-fractured-souls

Goodreads author link: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4601855.Jessica_Sorensen

Facebook (YA): https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jessica-Sorensen/165335743524509?fref=ts

Facebook (Adult): https://www.facebook.com/JessicaSorensensAdultContemporaryNovels

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jessFallenStar

Blog: http://jessicasorensensblog.blogspot.com/

New Indie Author & Upcoming Novel: Coast to Coast A Debut Novel By Lisa Royea

Coast to Coast

A Debut Novel

By Lisa Royea 

 

Coast to Coast is set to be indie published in Fall 2013

The Beach House

 

Synopsis

Emerson is about to graduate college and move on into the real world of working. Her long term boyfriend Logan is about to do the same. The difference? He knows exactly what he wants to do and she doesn’t have a clue. 

When an internship opportunity arises for Logan, he’s forced to take it and stay in Boston. Emerson must spend the summer in California overseeing a renovation project of her family’s beach house, now without Logan.

While Emerson and her cousin Jessica are helping each other with the beach house, their relationships, and their futures, they keep running into the multi-faceted Shane. He puzzles Emerson and makes her wonder if real love should be calm and comfortable, like what she has with Logan. Or maybe it would be better with someone new, exciting, and unpredictable, like Shane.

While Emerson deals with her possible love triangle, her cousin Jessica has her own issues with her military boyfriend and their future. Before the summer is up, things will change for the entire family. For better or worse, everyone in the Blank family is going to have to deal with the changes. And they all have to wonder if love can survive when the distance is coast to coast.

Prologue

      I slowly start to awaken. I roll over on my other side and grasp the comforter over my shoulders up to my chin. A gentle breeze billows the curtains from the balcony door. It was a warm enough morning, but I could feel a chill that signaled the impending fall. The sheer curtains just barely allowed the first rays of dawn to seep into the room. I look across to the other bed and see Jessica still fast asleep. I hold my breath for a moment and listen for sounds of others stirring in the house. Silence. Except for the waves breaking on the shore outside, I seem to be the only thing alive at this early hour. I lay my head back down on the pillow and exhale. Maybe I’ll just stay here a little longer and enjoy the peace before I’m forced to start my day.  

      Suddenly, terror seized my body. Memories of last night’s events come crashing through my head. I pull the comforter completely over my head and squeeze my eyes shut. How could I have been lulled by this false sense of peace and serenity for even a moment? I had to go. If I waited too long the others would be waking up and that would mean too many questions. And I couldn’t see any logical answers presenting themselves any time soon. No, I had to leave now. Get back home and start living my new life. I knew things were going to change after this summer anyways, so I should have been prepared. I guess I expected to be able to wade in slowly from the shallow end though, not be thrown into the deep with a force strong enough to drown a person.  

     I jump out of bed and pull my suitcase out from underneath it. I quickly dress in some jeans and a tee shirt from my dresser drawer. I dump the rest of the drawer in the suitcase. I only need to take some essentials to get me started. I’ll get the rest later. As I pull my hair back in a messy ponytail I hear Jessica stirring. She’s going to hate me for leaving like this. Once again escaping, not wanting to deal with any awkward situations and not even saying goodbye to her.  

     “What do you think you’re doing?” Jessica murmurs as she sits up in bed.

     “I’m leaving. You know I can’t deal with any of this right now. It was already complicated and I was unsure about my decision. After everything that went down last night… well, it’s for the better. Now I don’t have to choose. They made it easy. Now I don’t want anything to do with either of them.”

   “You’ve got to be joking. Emerson, you can’t fool me. I know you loved him, and I know you still do. You might try to convince yourself that you don’t, but I know better.”

    I glare at her. “Nice try Jess. I don’t even know which one you’re talking about.”

  “You know perfectly well who I’m talking about.” She beams a smile at me. “Now, slow down and take a breath. Your flight doesn’t leave for hours.  Let’s have some breakfast then I’ll help you pack while we think of what you’re going to say to him. That way you can face the next phase of your life like a grownup, head on, no regrets. Emerson, you’re never gonna make it out there if you keep hiding from every uncomfortable situation you find yourself stuck in. You’re not a kid anymore. You can’t just pull the blanket over your head and pretend the outside world doesn’t exist. It’s time to…”

      We’re interrupted by a timid knocking at the door. I freeze. Any courage Jessica just infused in me had immediately flooded out with the sound of his knuckles gently tapping against oak. It was him. It had to be, right? Wait, was I actually excited that he might be here, coming here for me, ready to apologize or forgive, whichever way you wanted to look at it we certainly had unfinished business to deal with. Maybe it wasn’t him. What if it was…

“No, I just can’t deal with him yet, “ I whisper. “Tell him I already left and I’ll call him tonight once I’m back at the apartment. I’m sorry Jess. I’m just not as strong as you. I need that blanket a little longer.” I give her a little hug, grab my suitcase off the bed, and dodge out the patio door to the balcony and the stairs that lead to the beach below. But as I reach the top stair some invisible force stops me from descending. Curiosity gets the best of me and even though I don’t want to talk to him, I kind of want to hear what he has to say. I stand on the balcony, out of view of the glass patio doors, which are still cracked open. Jess answers the door and I listen.

“Is she here? I really need to talk to her. Maybe you can help me. She always did listen to you.”

Wow. Not at all the voice I expected to hear. I really should go in and just face him. I take a deep breath and set my suitcase down. Alright Emerson, it’s time to come out from under the blanket. I close my eyes, take another deep breath, and reach for the door. I pull it open completely and stand in its frame.

“OK, go ahead and talk. Say whatever you need to. I don’t like what’s going on and I don’t understand how it all came to this. So maybe you can shed some light on it for me. Go ahead. I’ll listen.”

Excerpt #1 from Chapter 1

Any of my lighthearted joy about heading to the beach tomorrow had evaporated the second I discovered how drunk Logan was. I found him standing at the kitchen sink shoving potato chips in his mouth. I dug in my purse for some aspirin and poured him a huge glass of water.

“Take this and drink the whole cup.” I put the aspirin in one of his hands and took the bag of chips out of his other. He swallowed the aspirin and chugged half the glass of water. “Now tell me what happened today. Something had to happen to make you get like this. This isn’t like you Logan. Now spill it.” He moved over to the couch and plopped down.

“I blew the interview. It was my last chance and I blew it. I’m done with school and I have nothing. Four years at Harvard and nothing. My Dad’s gonna kill me. He’ll say I wasted an Ivy League education. Good for nothing, just like I always was. I don’t know what made me think I was better than him. What made me think I could ever escape Lemon Cove. All I did was move thousands of miles away and spend thousands of dollars on tuition. For what? Emerson, what was I thinking? Nothing.”

He closed his eyes and dropped his head back on the couch. I hated when he got like this. He’d get all down on himself and there was no talking him out of it. When he was sober he was the most confident person I knew. He could even be a little cocky sometimes. But a few too many drinks and he just kept digging himself deeper and deeper in a hole of self pity.

“Come on Logan, let’s go to bed. You’ll feel better after some sleep. And don’t forget, every dark situation looks better in California sunshine.” I winked my eye and smiled, hoping to get a little rise out of him.

“FUCK that SHIT Emerson! I can’t go running off on vacation with you when I have nothing. This is my life that’s on the line. I need an internship, a job, something. I have to stay here and make that happen. I don’t have time to go play with you on the beach.” My eyes were wide with shock and tearing up. I couldn’t breathe and my heart was pounding. Logan had never yelled at me like that. In fact, I’d never heard him yell like that ever, drunk or sober. It scared me and made me angry at the same time. 

“Well fine then Logan. Fuck you too. And just in case you need to be reminded it’s not just your life, it’s OUR life.” I stormed into the bedroom, grabbed a pillow and blanket, and threw it out on the living room floor. “Get used to it. Looks like you’ll be sleeping alone all summer. Oh no, I take that back, you’ll have your ego to keep you company.” I slammed the bedroom door shut, flopped down on the bed, and let the tears flow. How had all my plans changed so drastically since this morning?

 Excerpt #2 From Chapter 1

The beach house had been in my family for years. My Grandma had always dreamed of living on the ocean. We’ve been taught that our bodies are 70% water. My Grandma said she believed this because she felt the spirit of the ocean dwelled inside her and the crashing waves against the shore pounded out the rhythm of her heart. My Grandpa loved her more than anything, and although he was actually the one to make her heart pound, he wanted to do everything in his power to make her dreams come true. They got married after he returned from the war. He found a part time job in real estate that eventually turned into a career. When the opportunity finally presented itself, he snatched up a little piece of land right on the beach in the city of San Clemente. He built them a beautiful little home on that land with what money they had left. It wasn’t much to look at, but it was perfect for them. They called it home for the next 60 years.  

That little beach house saw many changes over the years. Three girls were born and raised there and with each new baby came a new addition to the house. For their 25th wedding anniversary they built a state of the art kitchen where they could explore all their culinary curiosities. It was pretty elaborate for the 70’s. A few years after that they gutted the upstairs completely to create a huge vaulted ceiling for the main foyer and living room. By then all three girls had moved out, were married, and starting to have children of their own. Brand new bedrooms were constructed in yet another addition so the girls and their families could come home to visit anytime they wanted. And they did. Every summer the whole family came together for a few weeks. For their 50th anniversary they had a new master suite built complete with a master bathroom. It featured a whirlpool tub big enough for four with a picture window overlooking the ocean and shoreline. It was my Grandma’s favorite spot in the house. And while she joked that it took her 50 years of putting up with Grandpa to get it, we all knew she was proud of the house and proud of the life that her and Grandpa had made.  

When the upkeep became difficult for them to handle alone they hired help. A gardener came a few times a week to help my Grandpa with the property and a maid helped my Grandma with cleaning and laundry. Grandma refused to have anyone cook for her, but they did take turns running errands or driving them into town. This arrangement worked quite well for a while. About five years ago, it became clear that they needed more help than a gardener and maid could provide. They moved into an independent living community a few miles away and their three daughters took over the beach house.  

We continued gathering together at the beach house every summer. Not everyone could make it every single time, but the effort was made. It got more difficult as us kids grew older. School, sports, jobs, and life in general got in the way. Three weeks turned into two, then two into only one. Some family members only stopped by for a few days. When our family wasn’t staying there, we rented it out. My mother and her sisters managed the rental of the property. The gardener and maid had stayed on after my Grandparents left. They were basically the on sight managers and very heavily trusted by my family. Other staff was brought on as well to assist the guests. Again, this new arrangement worked quite well the past few years and even provided some extra income which the families split. But it was all coming to an end.  

This would be the last year the beach house was part of our family. It was becoming too much work for my Mom and Aunts to manage as a rental property. My Mom was busy running her own Bed and Breakfast back in Lemon Cove and my Dad was a pilot always on the go. My Aunt and Uncle were looking to retire early to Arizona or Florida. My other Aunt and Uncle already lived up in Northern California and it was too hard for them to manage long distance. So they had hired a general contractor to fix the place up. He was to give it a complete facelift and modernize everything from appliances to drapes. It was decided that my cousin Jessica and I would stay at the house all summer to oversee the work and help make decisions on interior design and such. The rest of the family could come and go throughout the summer as they please. At the end of the summer, when the work was complete, the beach house would be put up for sale. 

Follow Lisa Royea's Journey:

Come visit my website: www.lisaroyea.com

Follow my blog: www.lisaroyeaauthor.blogspot.com

Like me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/lisaroyeawriter

Blog Tour: Wicked Cravings by Suzanne Wright

Wicked Cravings 

by Suzanne Wright

**Giveaway at bottom of page**

Goodreads Description:

Despite having been besotted with Dante Garcea since she was a child, wolf shifter Jaime Farrow figures that it’s time to move past the crush. If he wanted her, he wouldn't have ignored her flirtatious behavior, right? Hiding her intense attraction to him isn't easy – especially now that they're part of the same pack again – but with bigger issues to worry about and with the submissive wolf act to maintain, Jaime is resolute on moving forward. Now if only the workaholic control-freak would let her…

As the pack Beta, Dante doesn't have the space or time in his life for a relationship. As such, he ignores his intense hunger for the willful – and sometimes crazy – Jaime. Yet when her flirtations abruptly end, Dante finds that he doesn’t like losing her attention. He finds something else too – Jaime's hiding something. Determined to uncover her secret, he sets out to break through her defenses, even though being around her intensifies his cravings for her. What he finds is a problem that Jaime is convinced not even a powerful Beta can solve.

Author Link: http://www.suzannewright.co.uk/

BarnesandNobel Link: http://bit.ly/YGOUAy

Amazon Link: http://amzn.to/YGOIkQ

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Blog Tour: Suicide Note by Teresa Mummert

Suicide Note

by Teresa Mummert

Blog Tour, April 2-8th, hosted by Word

Synopsis: 

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Novel. Sometimes in life it feels like everything that can go wrong does, but everything happens for a reason. A relationship crumbles so someone else can mend the pieces of your broken heart. A change of plans can lead you to something you didn’t even know you were missing. You help others and discover that it was you who needed to be helped all along.

Jenn’s life is nothing as she had imagined it would be. She is twenty-something with a failing career and her love life has officially ended with an ultimate act of betrayal. She is ready to throw away her dreams when a chance run-in with a soldier, dealing with his own misfortunes, alters her course and changes her perspective on life.

Author Bio: 

I was a Russian spy at the ripe age of thirteen, given my uncanny ability to tell if someone was lying ( I also read fortunes on the weekends). By sixteen I had become too much of a handful for the Lethal Intelligence Ensemble (L.I.E.). I was quickly exiled to the south of France where I worked with wayward elephants in the Circus of Roaming Animals and People (C.R.A.P.). I was able to make ends meet by selling my organs on the black market for pocket change and beer money. At the age of twenty three I decided to expand my horizons and become a blackjack dealer in Ireland. I loved the family atmosphere at Barney's Underground Liquor Lounge (B.U.L.L.). People couldn't resist the allure of Liquor up front and poker in the rear. Eventually I became tired of the rear and headed off to the United States to try my hand at tall tales. That is what brings us here today. If you have a moment I'd like to tell you a story.

(This bio is not to be taken seriously under any circumstance.)

Teresa Mummert is an army wife and mother whose passion in life is writing. She is the author of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling novels White Trash Beautiful and Suicide Note. Born in Pennsylvania, she lived a small town life before following her husband's military career to Louisiana and Georgia. Check out her website for samples and updates! TeresaMummert.com




The Beautiful Paperback Cover

My Thoughts (5 Stars):

Suicide Note for me was an emotionally powerful read. The story line has depth and intensity. The topics covered and the situations surrounding those topics are serious, yet the outcomes are ultimately heartwarming. There is a truly beautiful love story wrapped up in the heart of this book.

In our lives we sometimes reach out to others' whom we believe are in need of someone, whether they are in need of a friendship, attention, someone to talk with, a shoulder to lay their head on, a hug or someone to truly love them. It is often in those times that we ourselves are sub-consciously in need of someone too. It often takes time to consciously realize that you needed that person as much as they needed you, if not more.

I absolutely love Shane's character. He has so many reasons to be hard and bitter. Even though externally he can be intense and intimidating, I found him to be unbelievably strong, compassionate, loving, understanding and forgiving of others, but very hard on himself. I adore how much he loved, stood up for, and protected Jenn.

Jenn's character is an amazing woman. She is beyond strong for enduring what she did and handling herself so well throughout the story. I really appreciate that Jenn is a throw on a pair of jeans, a t-shirt, put your hair up in a ponytail, no make-up and out the door kind of woman. For me, that made her very much relate-able. She's this intelligent, driven, loving, normal chick, who seems to be a bit of an introvert or it may have just been the fact that she'd been let down by so many of the people close to her that she internalized a lot of her thoughts and emotions.

I completely love, love, loved Suicide Note! The story line is multifaceted, intriguing and well written. The main characters are well developed and easy to connect with. I felt as though I was reading someone's true life story. I found the way the story is broken down and written almost in a letter form, with alternating character POV's, dates, times, and events... to be very creative and made the story more realistic and easier to visualize.

In Closing:

I'm such a huge fan of Teresa Mummert and her writing. She really did a fantastic job with this book. I highly recommend it to everyone; it's truly beautiful and you won't be disappointed.

My Absolute Favorite Suicide Note Quote:

"I will always protect you, Owen. Daddy will always have your six."

Find Teresa Mummert:Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/TeresaMummert

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TeresaMummert

Website: http://www.teresamummert.com/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5214793.Teresa_Mummert

Suicide Note:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SuicideNoteNovel

Website: http://www.suicidenotenovel.com/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17184353-suicide-note?ac=1

Buy Suicide Note:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Suicide-Note-ebook/dp/B00BSYE5RQ/?tag=kinsoubooblo-20

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/suicide-note-teresa-mummert/1114828391?ean=2940016384368

Enter for a chance to win: $300 Amazon gift card and 1 of 5 signed paperbacks

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Enter for a chance to win: 1 kindle ecopy of Suicide Note or 1 of 2 Bookmarks!

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Deleted Scene:

Shane – March 18, 2010 11:13 am Jake and May’s home

                   “You’re late.” May gave me a stern look but I could see her struggling to keep her lips from pulling into a smile. She brushed her deep red hair over her shoulder in a dramatic gesture and put her hands on her hips.

                   “May, I would like you to meet Jenn.”

                   May couldn’t contain her smile any longer. She pulled Jenn into an awkward hug. Jenn grunted and I could hardly suppress my laugh as I shook my head.

                   “Pleasure to meet you,” Jenn’s voice cracked as her nerves began to get the best of her. It was adorable how her cheeks tinged pink when she was nervous. I realized I was staring a second after May as she shot me a wink over Jenn’s shoulder. She released her embrace as Jake entered the living room.

                   “You’re late,” Jake called out as he took his place beside his wife.

                   “I’m so sorry. It is all my fault,” Jenn rambled.

                   “This isn’t work. He’s not going to fire you,” I whispered to her as she worried her lip with her teeth. My gaze dropped to her mouth as her lips parted slightly and she let out a small sigh. “If you want me to kick his ass just say the word.”

                   Jake rolled his eyes as Jenn let out a small laugh.

                   “Well, it is getting a little warm in here. I’m going to open the window.” May laughed as she made her way back into the kitchen and pushed up the window above the sink. Jake had a look of disapproval on his face as he folded his arms over his chest.

                   “Enjoying your vacation? I hope my cousin isn’t bothering you too much.” Jake’s eyes flicked to mine but quickly returned to Jenn’s. I clenched my jaw and kept myself from saying anything in response.

                   “He’s no bother. We’ve been having a lot of fun.” The pink returned to her cheeks.

                   “Well, are you just gonna stand by the door all day or are you gonna eat? The food is getting cold.” May called out as she sat dished on the table.

                   “Where are the boys?” I asked as I gestured for Jenn to follow me into the kitchen.

                   “They ate an hour ago.” Her eyes locked onto mine before she went back to her task of setting out silverware. “I’ve released them into the wild. They are off at the neighbor’s.”

                   I pulled out one of the oak chairs and waited for Jenn to sit before sliding into the one next to her. May and Jake took their seats across the table from us.

                   “Help yourselves.” May grabbed a biscuit from the plate in front of her.

                   “Thank you so much, May. This all looks amazing.” Jenn said, her voice finally sounding more like her own.

                   “It is no trouble at all. I had to devise a plan to meet the girl who is occupying all of Shane’s time.” I cleared my throat and glanced to Jake, pleading with him silently to stop May. He just smiled and shook his head. I should have known he would be no help. He disapproved of Jenn and me talking from the moment he found out.

                   “That’s a nice shirt, Shane. The color really brings out your eyes.” May shoved a bite of scrambled eggs into her mouth.

                   “Thank you. Jenn picked it out.” I glanced to Jenn who was smiling proudly. The flashback of being at the mall with her, being inside that photo booth with her lips pressed against mine came to the forefront of my thoughts.

                   “She has great taste,” May now had a permanent smirk on her face. It did not go over my head that she was now talking about more than the shirt. I wanted to kick her under the table. Like she was reading my mind, she slid her chair back a few inches and took a big gulp of her orange juice.

                   “She does taste great.” As the words left my mouth I knew there was no hope that no one had heard my mix-up.  May choked and sputtered on her drink and Jenn looked frozen, holding a piece of bacon midair. “That’s not-,” I struggled to correct myself as Jake grabbed his drink and raised it in the air with a victorious smirk.

                   “You have a lovely home, May.” Jenn bit off a bite from her bacon, avoiding eye contact with anyone else at the table.

                   “Thanks. I bet it must be a bit of a shock to you.”

                   “Why would it be a shock?” Jenn furrowed her brow.

                   “I’d just assumed anyone who works with Jake would think he lives under a bridge somewhere with the rest of the trolls.” She laughed as Jake glared at her. Jenn nearly choked on her bite as we all laughed and relaxed a bit.

                   “Come on.” Jake set his fork down on his plate and narrowed his eyes at his wife. “I’m not that bad am I, Jenn?”

                   “That’s not right. You can’t ask her that.” May shot back waving her hand in front of Jake. That was one thing I loved about May she had a way of making anyone feel relaxed. I hoped that she would form a friendship with Jenn. I wanted someone to be here for her when I had to leave. I swallowed back the lump that had formed in my throat.

                   “I’m fair.” Jake gestured to Jenn in hopes she would back him up.

                   “You are fair…ly mean.” She crinkled her nose, waiting for his response.

                   “I like you.” May’s eyes lit up at Jenn and I knew I wouldn’t have to worry about her being alone.