For my part in the hop today, I'm featuring my adult paranormal romance "Ink."
Slade Andrews in my Ink series is hot but deadly. His life is full of danger, he brings just about everyone he is involved with into harm's way. And Hope the main character in the series can't resist him.
Content warning: "Ink" contains adult content, graphic sexual situations.
To enter to win a copy, just simply comment below, and be sure to include your e-mail! Good luck!
Here is a peek inside my book Ink.
Be sure to enter for your ebook copy of Ink!
I
shoved the last of my shoes into my tiny closet. I had managed to unpack my
entire room, down to the last picture frame. My walls were now covered in all
my friends back home, photos of Karsen being her silly self. Photos of mom
looking so beautiful like always, it made me feel at home almost. I turned the
snow globe on my nightstand, the white flakes rocked gently at the bottom. It
was a gift Karsen gave to me right before we had left. She knew how much I
loved ballet and she found the perfect snow globe with hot pink ballet
slippers. And polka dots, because I loved them.
I stepped back taking
in my small but quaint bedroom, it had appeal. It would do just fine I thought
to myself. Maybe this place wasn’t as bad as I imagined it would be. I pulled
back my lavender curtains tying them with the turquoise ties and stared out the
window, it was dark and I couldn’t see much. The moon shined against the ocean.
The waves crashing against the shore made a dull hush sound, I breathed in the
salty aroma. Suddenly there was a big flash of light, thinking it was lightning
I fixed my attention on the passing kids. They were slowly making there way
through the sand hand in hand. I didn’t know them but it was clear they were a
couple. Several more followed shortly behind them, and then I finally realized
it wasn’t just a couple random kids, it was a continuous stream passing by to
get to the flashing lights.
I quickly pulled my
hair back in a ponytail, slicking on some chap stick. I gave myself a once over
before deciding that I looked decent enough to go outdoors. I stopped suddenly
in the doorway realizing I should change into flip flops. I sniffed my shirt as
I kicked my shoes off, I could probably use a shower as well I smelled like old
dusty boxes and sweat. Shaking that idea out of my head, I spritzed a couple
extra puffs of love spell on and headed out my door.
The television was on
in the living room. Easton and Elliot sprawled out on the carpet a big bowl of
popcorn in tow. They didn’t even notice me taking off, I searched the rest of
the house for dad. “Where’s dad guys?”
Easton made the glug
glug gesture with his hand tipping the imaginary glass to his mouth. That was
all I needed to know. Dad had passed out for the night. Turning to the kitchen
table I saw his drink of choice sitting on the table. Jack Daniels. I rolled my
eyes taking off out the door. There was no one to worry about my wandering off.
Dad was wasted and Easton and Elliot were young, they only cared about what was
on the television. So I knew I was free. The sky lit up with another flash, and
then a loud boom. It was music, the bass from music. As I walked faster across
the sand I felt my insides growing more and more excited. I loved music and
this would be the perfect way to get used to my new home. I gave Jesse’s home a
quick glance hurrying past. I hoped he wouldn’t spot me on my venture to the
music. It seemed he wasn’t too fond of Rock music from his bitter tone when I
had questioned him about it earlier. I slowed down at the sight of the crowd in
the entranceway. A metal sign was attached to the chain link fence. Henry Park.
I hurried through, squeezing past all types of people. There were big burly men
with black clothes and chains. And girls with short skirts and bikini tops. The
theme was black that was very apparent, black or bathing attire. I looked down
at my pink tank top realizing I stuck out like a sore thumb. I shrugged the
thought off as I continued to squeeze through the crowd, the music becoming
louder as I made it through trying to find and opening.
“Wow” I said to myself
finally in front of the stage. A giant flash of light went off from the side of
the stage, smoke flashing past my nose. Pyrotechnics one after the other going
off as the heavy rock music played. EKOI hung on a black backdrop in white
letters, the words tattered for a more dramatic effect. The stage lighting
flashed to the beat, making everything in its path flicker all the colors of
the rainbow. I stared down at my skin as it glowed along to the lights and
music. I had never been to such a thing, I had my fair share of concerts but
never something so powerful and alive.
“Let me hear you
scream!!” The singer yelled into the crowd. In seconds the crowd was roaring, I
covered my ears the sound deafening. It was another world, I couldn’t believe
the small walk took me to such a place. More and more people poured into the
already congested crowd, eventually I had nowhere to turn, my body pinned
between a guy with overpowering muscles and tattoos galore on his arm. And
another guy holding a giant beer and wearing an Evil kings of Ink t-shirt. Neither
of them realized I was in between them, they only cared about the music. I
started to feel claustrophobic, I needed to leave. Suddenly this wasn’t feeling
like the best idea. And this was solidified once the crowd started shoving each
other. A giant mosh pit resurrected out of nowhere and my body ping ponged off
the muscle of the man in front of me, I tried to stop myself from being shoved to the ground but it was no use. I let out a
terrified scream begging them to stop and notice me.
“Hey, hey hey. Back
up!” A male voice ordered, I kept my hands over the back of my head trying to
keep from being smashed. The crowd parted but I stayed where I was afraid to
move, the music still played in the background.
“Now stand up.” The
voice commanded. I dropped my arms looking over my shoulder at him. He was
wearing a black cutoff tshirt. A silver chain around his neck and one wooden
baseball bat in his hands. I stood up, deciding it best to gain my footing
before he left me to fend for myself.
“Are you ok?” he said
loudly, his voice carrying over the music perfectly. I shoved my flip flop back
on my foot. “Yeah, I think I’ll be ok.”
I turned to leave as
another mass of people crowded my way, this place was a zoo. I sighed, trying
to squeeze through. Finally realizing I was no match for such giant thugs, I
gave up turning back to him for assistance. He perched the bat on his shoulder
giving a nod that he understood I needed his help. With one loud yell and a
couple swings of the bat he cleared me another path, extending his hand in
front of him he gestured me to start walking.
“I take it you wandered
over here from the beach houses,” he commented, following me out the gate.
“Yeah, I was just curious.”
I concentrated on my footsteps.
“Yeah, well next time
you think about stepping into rock concerts you might want to bring a
bodyguard.”
I stopped, and turned
around. I brought my hands to my hips a bit offended. “What is that supposed to
mean?”
He dropped the end of
the bat into the sand. “It means you’re small.” There was no hesitation in his
voice, he wasn’t one bit concerned if he offended me.
I stared up at him.
“Yeah well you’re big.”
I felt him following me
as I made it passed the rocks now. I really wasn’t sure if I wanted this guy
knowing where I lived. After all he was wielding a baseball bat. And I had just
seen him strike several people with that bat. What if he struck me?
Turning back around I
said, “I think I’m ok now, thanks.”
I moved passed a group
of guys and cut passed a couple of girls, my feet crunching down on seashells
and sand.
“Which house is yours?”
he asked, ignoring my resistance. I swallowed hard, shoving the gate open. I
had three males living with me; I hoped that was intimidating enough for him.
“This one. Now you can
go, you’re really kind of creeping me out.” I shut and locked the gate quickly
throwing a barrier between us. He rested his hand on the fence, the baseball
bat draped over his shoulder again.
“You were just in a
mosh pit being trampled by thrashing head bangers all dressed in black. But I
am creeping you out.” He surveyed my house I wasn’t sure if I
should just run inside, or warn him again to leave.
“I said thank you.” I
told him, crossing my arms, he laughed. But it wasn’t a pleasant your funny kind of laugh. The moonlight
caught the glint of his lip ring, which he was now fondling with the tip of his
tongue as he stared down at me. It was a bit awkward.
“Well, you’re welcome
girl with no name.” He raised his eyebrows.
I debated even giving
that information up so easily. But his eyes had lost their intensity and I felt
less like I was going to be beaten to a pulp with his baseball bat. “Hope
Zigler.”
He took it in, leaving
me to wait for some sort of response. Finally he extended his hand. As I went
to reach it Crawford started furiously barking at the door. He thrashed and
growled doing his best to tear the door down.
“What the hell is
that?” he asked, backing away from the fence, he gripped his baseball bat a
little tighter. I shook my head at him, it would be the last thing he did if he
beat my dog. Even if I was just a flea compared to this towering inferno.
“That’s my dog, and I guess he doesn’t like you.” Which was odd, Crawford liked
everyone.
“More like a horse.” He
muttered. I gave him a dirty look. His arms were covered in tattoos from
shoulder to wrist and he was calling my dog names? He was a circus freak.
“Well, I’m not into
purse puppies.” I shot back.
Dad turned the kitchen
light on. He knew enough not to let Crawford outside, he slowly squeezed out
our door scolding Crawford to be quiet. “What’s going on Hope?” he asked
groggily. He swayed as he walked down the steps.
“Nothing dad, I was
just about to come in the house,” I said, taking his arm.
The mystery boy watched
me carefully as I tried to steady dad back up the stairs.
“Your daughter was
nearly trampled over at the concert, I helped her get home.” I sucked in my
breath agitated. Who was this guy ratting me out to my drunk father? It would
have been nice if he just thought I was outdoors not running around doing
whatever I wanted.
Dad turned back around.
He gave him a look over. “Why are you carrying a bat?”
“Safety reasons, the
crowds get rowdy.” He told him, point blank period.
Dad scratched his head.
“What’s your name guy that saved my daughter?”
“Slade.” He gave us
both a reluctant gaze and finally walked away, leaving me to tackle dad back up
the stairs.
“Stay away from that
guy. He looks like a career criminal.” Dad hiccuped falling into the railing.
Enter the giveaway to win one of three copies of Ink.
As I type this I wish I could write what was in my head in mere days and have perfectly complete books at my disposal. FAT CHANCE.
