EXCERPT: Sword of the Gladiatrix by Faith L. Justice!!

Author Faith L. Justice, previously reviewed at Novel Addiction (see my review of Selene of Alexandria), has a new book! A review will be forth coming, but for now, the author has graciously provided an excerpt of her newest title Sword of the Gladiatrix!

Author info and buy links at the bottom!

EXCERPT:

Kingdom of Kush, in the sixth year of Nero’s reign (60 CE)

Afra watched with her fellow Kushites, as the small contingent of Roman soldiers escorted General Decimus Cornial Asina through the streets and plazas of the Kush capital of Meroe. The setting sun washed the city in bloody light—an ill omen. As their guide from the Egyptian border, she should have tried to delay the Romans till morning, a more auspicious time for new beginnings.

She shook her head. Leave the auguring to the priests. Only they can determine the will of the gods, what is auspicious, what is ill-omened. Besides, the General had been most insistent on setting the pace. Any ill-luck is his own.

The blare of curved horns—what the Romans call buccinae—announced the Roman presence at the palace. Bright limestone steps led up to a colonnade sheltering a massive wooden door, flanked by monumental stone carvings of the king on one side and the queen on the other; both smiting their enemies with flails and spears. The red sun reflected off the soldiers’ burnished breastplates and sharp spears.

Kashta, the king’s chief advisor, and his entourage of aides and guards, met the delegation with their own fine show of trumpets and drums. Among them, Afra spotted Piye, Kashta’s son and her step-sister’s husband, dressed in shimmering striped robes. His hooked nose curved over a cruel mouth.

Her stomach roiled and her lips unconsciously curled into a snarl.

Gods curse him!

A final flourish of trumpets called her attention back to the ceremony. The chief advisor raised his hands for silence. “My Lord Amanitenmemide, Qore of the Kushites, born of the gods, and his wife Kandake Amanikhatashan, Mother of the next Qore, bids the representative of Nero, Imperator of the Romans, welcome to their lands.”

General Asina gave the briefest of bows. Afra knew he would take the King’s absence as a slight on his honor. Her people knew the absence of the queen was just as great an insult. Perhaps it was meant to be. If so, it was a dangerous game to bait these Romans.

Asina intoned in his stentorian voice, “Imperator Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, Pontifex Maximus, Pater Patriae and four times Consul of the People of Rome sends his greetings.”

Kashta did not bend his neck. “My Qore has had accommodations prepared for you, but asks your pardon for his absence. He has duties in the temple of Amun and will greet you properly at a feast in your honor after you have rested and refreshed yourselves.” Asina gave him a stiff nod and ordered his men to camp outside the walls. An honor guard accompanied him to his more comfortable accommodations.

The Romans marched off and the crowd dispersed, muttering. One young man spat in the street as the Romans left it. Three women with kohl-rimmed eyes watched the soldiers retreat; speculative smiles on their faces. Afra shrugged as the women drifted down the street in the Roman’s wake. Everyone had to eat. If not for her hunting skills, it might be she following the Romans to their beds. The thought made her shudder.

Thank you Mother Isis, Queen of all Gods, Goddesses, and Women for saving me from that fate.

Afra walked across the plaza fronting the palace and the brightly painted Temple of Amun, wondering if she dared visit her step-sister before retiring for the night. She lived for Asata’s smiles and loving embraces, but it was dangerous meeting too often. Her rumbling stomach and a whiff of rancid odor decided for her. Dinner, then a wash.

She didn’t make it to her room.

One of the queen’s servants caught up to her, panting. “Huntress, the Kandake wishes to talk to you.”

Afra indicated her sweat-stained linen clothes, worn sandals, and dusty hair. “Now? It’s been a long journey escorting the Romans from Hierasykaminos. I don’t wish to offend the Kandake with my stink.”

The slave sniffed and raised the corner of his mouth. “She says at once.”

***

Sword of the Gladiatrix

Author:         Faith L. Justice ISBN:             978-0692386491 Length:         260 pp Format:         Trade paperback and eBook Price:             $11.99 paper; $3.99 eBook Publisher:    Raggedy Moon Books Pub Date:     May 2015 Website:      raggedymoonbooks.com

Back Cover Copy:

Two women. Two swords. One victor.

An action-packed tale that exposes the brutal underside of Imperial Rome, Sword of the Gladiatrix brings to life unforgettable characters and exotic settings. From the far edges of the Empire, two women come to battle on the hot sands of the arena in Nero's Rome: Afra, scout and beast master to the Queen of Kush; and Cinnia, warrior-bard and companion to Queen Boudica of the British Iceni. Enslaved, forced to fight for their lives and the Romans' pleasure; they seek to replace lost friendship, love, and family in each other's arms. But the Roman arena offers only two futures: the Gate of Life for the victors or the Gate of Death for the losers.

Available at:

·        Amazon.com (US, UK, Canada)

·        Barnes and Noble

·        CreateSpace

·        iBooks

·        Kobo

·        Smashwords

About the Author:

“A promising new historical novelist [with] the gift for wonderfully researched, vividly evoked, good old-fashioned storytelling.”—Historical Novel Society

“I am blown away and enthralled with the work of this author.”—BookPleasures.com

“Does what historical fiction does best—weaves historical fact, real-life historical figures, and attention to detail with page-turning, plot-driven fiction.”—The Copperfield Review

FAITH L. JUSTICE writes award-winning novels, short stories, and articles in Brooklyn, New York. Her work has appeared in Salon.com, Writer’s Digest, The Copperfield Review, the Circles in the Hair anthology, and many more. She is a frequent contributor to Strange Horizons, Associate Editor for Space and Time Magazine, and co-founded a writer’s workshop many more years ago than she likes to admit. For fun, she digs in the dirt—her garden and various archaeological sites.

Contact Information:

·        Website/Blog

·        LinkedIn

·        Twitter: @faithljustice

·        Facebook

Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

REVIEW: "Let's Eat Ramen and Other Doujinshi Short Stories" by Nagumo and Aji-Ichi

Disclaimer: I received a free, advanced copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thanks Netgalley!

Type: Graphic Novel, Manga, Short Stories, Doujinshi, Ramen!

About the Book: Doujinshi, otherwise known as independent manga in Japan, is rarely published in English. In fact, it's considered underground and quite exclusive in its home country of Japan as well. Let's Eat Ramen and Other Doujinshi Short Stories finally gives western readers an exclusive look at the elusive world of contemporary Japanese doujinshi manga. Let's East Ramen is a three-part tale of Saeki, a girl who loves ramen noodles. At last, she thinks that she has finally found the perfect ramen shop, but the problem is the shop is completely full of old regulars and she can't get in. Will the timid Saeki ever summon the willpower to reach out and get the ramen that she desperately wants? [Summary provided by Goodreads.com]

My Review: This is my first foray into what's considered "underground" manga - also known as manga that hasn't made it to the USA before now. Most of what is popular in the US is very formulaic - almost like the same thing over and over. But there is manga of all different types available in Japan, and it's great that this is getting a chance to shine in the US. 

It was fascinating to read what is essentially a book of manga short stories. A graphic novel can take multiple volumes to equal what we know as one book. So to make it even shorter? Amazing! It was so cool to see how much information and story that got packed into such a few pages. Each story for original and interesting. The culture difference is pretty obvious - some things happen way faster than it may in the states, and Ramen is a whole different experience in Japan, - but it's a great into into a different culture. 

Overall, I'm giving this three stars. It was good, a fun and fast read for sure. But essentially, my love of this is more of the concept and culture than of the stories themselves.

Cover Lovin': Since "Let's Eat Ramen" is the main story of this collection, the cover image is fitting. And it will definitely appeal to its intended audience (manga fans).

Recommendation: For fans of manga and Japanese culture.

Final Rating: THREE out of FIVE stars (3/5). Good, interesting, and different. Something to look into if you're a manga fan.

Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Guest post and promotion: KAT MARTIN talks AGAINST THE TIDE!

Author Kat Martin is once again visiting Novel Addiction, this time to promote her newest book AGAINST THE TIDE! Be sure to read all the goodies, and there are buy links at the bottom. Even better, Kat will be providing an excerpt from "Against the Tide" on June 12, 2015!

GUEST POST:

At the end of May, AGAINST THE TIDE, the twelfth novel 

in my AGAINST series is being released.  This is the last of 

three books about the rugged Brodie brothers of Alaska.  

Being plot-oriented, I usually work through a story in 

my head then figure out the best place for the story to take 

place.  Sometimes, as happened with the Alaska Trilogy, 

AGAINST THE WILD, AGAINST THE SKY, and AGAINST THE TIDE, the 

setting was an essential part of the stories before they were 

even conceived.  

The concept for the trilogy began with a month-long trip 

my husband and I took to Alaska--a place that has fascinated 

me since childhood.  Even before we set out, I knew I wanted 

to write an Alaskan trilogy, but had no story concepts until 

we set out on the five thousand mile journey north.  

It was my second long trip, both of which involved 

traveling cross-country, staying in a tiny pickup camper.  

Every day and night spent out in the open filled my head with 

story ideas.  By the time we got home, I had rough outlines 

for three high-action romantic suspense novels about the 

rugged Brodie brothers, Dylan, Nick, and Rafe, and the women 

who loved them.

In AGAINST THE TIDE, Rafe Brodie is the owner of a 

charter boat fishing company in remote Valdez.  Liv Chandler, 

the beautiful new owner of the Pelican Café, has fled to 

Valdez, fearing for her life.  Liv can’t trust anyone, not 

even Rafe, the one man who makes her feel safe. 

Rafe finds Olivia an intriguing mystery.  He's 

determined to uncover her secrets, but the woman has a past 

more dangerous than Rafe can guess.  When murder strikes in 

the tiny town, he begins to believe something terrible is 

coming.  And even in remote Valdez, Alaska, Rafe may not be 

able to protect the woman he loves.

Though I was comfortable writing Alaska from the months 

I spent up there and was familiar with the wildlife and 

mountainous terrain, since I live in Montana, the trip added 

vistas, sounds, smells, and ideas for some of the interesting 

characters who appear in the novels.  

Setting is always important to a story, in some books 

more than in others.  To help me with the different locales, 

I use Google Maps extensively.  They have street maps, street 

cameras, satellite views, terrain maps, and still photos, all 

of which help me see what an area looks like.  What an 

amazing writers' tool! 

Going to the location, of course, is the best way to 

chose a setting.  There are places I couldn't write about 

without having been there.  Alaska was one of them.

Driving all the way from Montana through Canada, over 

the Top of the World road, we took a side trip to Valdez.  It 

was raining there, but the scenery was still spectacular.  

Valdez is the shipping terminal for the great Alaska 

pipeline, which gave me the plot line for AGAINST THE TIDE. 

I try to choose locals that are fun for readers, enhance 

the suspense, and give insight into the characters.  

I hope you enjoy my Alaskan he-man, Rafe Brodie, along 

with the mysterious Olivia Chandler in AGAINST THE TIDE. 

Till then, very best wishes and happy reading, Kat  

When Lane and Dylan work to solve the mystery, they 

discover a legacy of injustice and murder.  With danger 

stalking their every move, Dylan must risk everything to save 

Lane and his daughter and uncover the truth--before it’s too 

late.

 

AGAINST THE TIDE

By Kat Martin

Release date: 5/26/15

BACK COVER COPY

Secrets—and safety—melt under a midnight sun…

Liv Chandler is running for her life, and the cops haven’t been able to do a thing to help. But there’s one man who makes her feel safe, no matter what…rugged charter boat captain Rafe Brodie.

To Rafe, Liv is a beautiful mystery, one he can’t ignore. He means to unearth her secrets, and in the process, if luck is on his side, maybe the spark between them will ignite.

But Liv’s past is more dangerous than Rafe could guess, and when his first mate turns up dead, she fears that she’s next. That there’s something else coming she can’t see. That even Rafe and the remote village of Valdez, Alaska can’t protect her forever…

SHORT BLURB

Secrets and Danger Threaten in the Land of the Midnight Sun…

Liv Chandler is running for her life.  She can’t trust anyone, not even the one man who makes her feel safe—rugged charter boat captain, Rafe Brodie.

Rafe is determined to uncover Liv's secrets,  but the beautiful café owner has a past more dangerous than Rafe can guess.  Something terrible is coming…and even in remote Valdez, Alaska, Rafe can’t protect her forever.

REVIEW QUOTES

“Martin’s latest novel leaves readers breathless with the absorbing combination of mystery and romance.” —RTBookReviews

“This book is action packed. It has plenty of suspense and I love that the story wasn't just given away. It all evolved into something fabulous. It will have you looking for the other Brodie books.” —Crystal’s Reviews

What are readers saying about AGAINST THE TIDE?

“A sexy romantic thriller I didn't want to stop reading.” —Paige, Mertztown, PA

“Thrilling, suspenseful and keeps you hanging on till the very end! And...delicious romance!” — Misty, Galt, CA

 “This book was a great read!  Characters were intriguing.  Story was easy to get swept away with.” —Elissa, Collegeville, PA

“Awesome book from start to finish. I was hooked right away & couldn't put it down!” —Amy, Las Cruces, NM

“Sexy and Intriguing read. A must read if you love to get caught up in love and romance and danger.” —Kristen, Oklahoma City, OK

“I loved it! Kat martin describes the scenes with such detail it feels as if you're right there in the story. Loved the characters and the whole plot.” —Lisa, Slippery Rock, PA

LINKS

TIDE CONTEST: http://www.katmartin.com/contests/

Website: http://www.katmartin.com/

Video: https://youtu.be/Yfajue8HliQ

Netgalley Link: https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/show/id/63760

BUY LINKS

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Against-Tide-Brodies-Alaska-Book-ebook/dp/B00ONTR60Q/

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/against-the-tide-kat-martin/1120138025?ean=9781420133868

Indiebound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781420133868

SOCIAL MEDIA

Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22812429

Twitter: @katbooks https://twitter.com/katbooks

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

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/luvromance/
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Kat-Martin/e/B000AQ0OJQ/

IDENTIFIERS

ASIN: B00ONTR60Q

ISBN: 9781420133868

ISBN-10: 1420133861

ISBN-13: 978-1420133868

Release Week Blitz: Katie McGarry's "NOWHERE BUT HERE!!"

 

We are absolutely thrilled to bring you the Release Day Launch for Katie McGarry's NOWHERE BUT HERE! NOWHERE BUT HERE is a Young Adult Contemporary Romance and is a part of Katie McGarry’sThunder Road Series, published by Harlequin Teen. Grab your copy today!!

Amazon ** Kobo ** BAM ** Barnes & Noble ** iBooks ** IndieBound

Add it to your Goodreads Now!

  About NOWHERE BUT HERE: An unforgettable new series from acclaimed author Katie McGarry about taking risks, opening your heart and ending up in a place you never imagined possible Seventeen-year-old Emily likes her life the way it is: doting parents, good friends, good school in a safe neighborhood. Sure, she's curious about her biological father—the one who chose life in a motorcycle club, the Reign of Terror, over being a parent—but that doesn't mean she wants to be a part of his world. But when a reluctant visit turns to an extended summer vacation among relatives she never knew she had, one thing becomes clear: nothing is what it seems. Not the club, not her secret-keeping father and not Oz, a guy with suck-me-in blue eyes who can help her understand them both. Oz wants one thing: to join the Reign of Terror. They're the good guys. They protect people. They're…family. And while Emily—the gorgeous and sheltered daughter of the club's most respected member—is in town, he's gonna prove it to her. So when her father asks him to keep her safe from a rival club with a score to settle, Oz knows it's his shot at his dream. What he doesn't count on is that Emily just might turn that dream upside down. No one wants them to be together. But sometimes the right person is the one you least expect, and the road you fear the most is the one that leads you home.     NOWHERE BUT HERE Trailer:

  About Katie McGarry: Katie McGarry was a teenager during the age of grunge and boy bands and remembers those years as the best and worst of her life. She is a lover of music, happy endings, reality television, and is a secret University of Kentucky basketball fan. Katie is the author of full length YA novels, PUSHING THE LIMITS, DARE YOU TO, CRASH INTO YOU, TAKE ME ON, BREAKING THE RULES, and NOWHERE BUT HERE and the e-novellas, CROSSING THE LINE and RED AT NIGHT. Her debut YA novel, PUSHING THE LIMITS was a 2012 Goodreads Choice Finalist for YA Fiction, a RT Magazine's 2012 Reviewer's Choice Awards Nominee for Young Adult Contemporary Novel, a double Rita Finalist, and a 2013 YALSA Top Ten Teen Pick. DARE YOU TO was also a Goodreads Choice Finalist for YA Fiction and won RT Magazine’s Reviewer’s Choice Best Book Award for Young Adult Contemporary fiction in 2013.  

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  RELEASE WEEK SPECIAL EXCERPT:

From Oz's Point of View. Set up: Emily has been separated from her parents and after a long night of worrying, her emotions and exhaustion catch up to her and it causes Oz to have his first fluttering of emotion for Emily. 

WIND BLOWS IN FROM THE NORTH AND A FEW pieces of Emily’s dark hair sweep across her face. One min­ute Emily’s a bright flame, then a gust snuffs out her light. Her body sways like a top at the tail end of a spin and I lunge forward.

Emily’s knees give out and her eyes roll back into her head. I catch her inches before she crashes onto the porch. She’s light as I swing her into my arms and her head circles onto my shoulder, reminding me of one of those rag dolls Violet used to play with when we were kids.

“Emily!” Eli’s on top of me, attempting to yank her out of my arms. “Open your eyes.”

Her eyelids flutter, but remain closed as her hand limply clutches my shirt. Eli rams his arms underneath mine and he makes Emily a rope in a tug-of-war. I should let her go. I should want to let her go, but then Emily goes and screws it up for me. “Oz.” 

It was a damn whisper, but I heard my name on her lips and so did Eli. His eyes flash to mine and Cyrus’s words repeat in my mind. That girl trusts you. And screw us both for that.

“She’s exhausted,” I say. “Hasn’t slept at all tonight.”

Eli’s expression hardens as he glares at me. I’ve seen Eli throw a coma-inducing punch for less defiance and I readjust the sleeping girl in my arms. A reminder if he decks me now, he’ll be putting his daughter at risk.

Temporarily surrendering, Eli cups Emily’s face in his hands and angles her toward him. “Emily, please open your eyes.”

She does. It’s barely a crack and they’re completely glazed.

“Everything’s going to be okay,” Eli affirms.

“I want my mom and dad,” she mumbles.

“You’ll see them tomorrow.” Eli pushes a strand of hair from her cheek. “You’re safe here. I promise.”

She rejects Eli by curling into me. Her head fits perfectly in the crook of my neck and I loathe the wave of protective­ness that rumbles through my body. Emily’s fingers tighten their grip near my shoulders and the impulse is to shield her from the guys gawking at this intimate scene. Yeah, this is club business, but Emily never asked for any of this.

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

REVIEW: "Low, Volume 1: The Delirium of Hope" by Rick Remender and Greg Tocchini

Disclaimer: I received a free, advanced copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thanks Netgalley!

Type: Graphic Novel, Series, Comic Books, Futuristic, Good Concept?

About the book: Millennia ago, mankind fled the earth's surface into the bottomless depths of the darkest oceans. Shielded from a merciless sun's scorching radiation, the human race tried to stave off certain extinction by sending robotic probes far into the galaxy to search for a new home among the stars. Generations later, one family is about to be torn apart in a conflict that will usher in the final race to save humanity from a world beyond hope. Dive into an aquatic fantasy like none you've ever seen before, as writer Rick Remender (Fear Agent, Uncanny Avengers) and artist Greg Tocchini (Last Days of American Crime) bring you a tale mankind's final hour in the cold, deathly dark of the sea. [Description provided by Goodreads.com]

My Review: While most first volumes of a series just leave me wanting more, this first volume made me feel like this was just way too short. Not necessarily because I was desperate for more, but it just felt incomplete. I think "LOW" is a case of an amazing concept that just fell flat for me. 

There were parts I enjoyed. For example, the art was stylistic without being too far out there. It had a.. flourish, if you will. Something that made it stand out, but it wasn't so removed from the norm that we could tell these people are human like us. I liked the main characters unwavering optimism in a world where hope for the future doesn't exist anymore. And really, I liked the whole idea of this. I just didn't really like how it worked out. It got better towards the end, but just not enough to redeem it in my eyes. 

This might be a case of "not working right now." Maybe I wasn't in the mood for something so dark as the loss of an entire family. And for such a super futuristic world - I needed more world building before getting into the story. Maybe some extra exposition in the beginning? 

Cover Lovin': The cover is what drew me to this book - not only the color, but also the way the image flows like water.

Recommendation: For fans of darker, futuristic sci-fi.

Final Rating: TWO out of FIVE stars (2/5). It picked up towards the end, but over all - a let down for me. 

Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~   

On Vacation 5/15 - 5/26! What I'm taking for the car ride...

Hello all! I shall be on vacation this upcoming week (5/15-5/26), so posts will most likely not appear - unless I gain access to a computer to type up a review. 

Want to see what I'll be taking with me?

First up: Broken Juliet by Leisa Rayven! I'm almost done with this, so it might not even make it to vacation, but we'll see!

Next!: Come to me Recklessly by A.L. Jackson. I received an ARC of this to review, so it's about time I get to it.

Thirdly: Low volume 1, The Delirium of Hope by Rick Remender. Got this one from Netgalley, and it looks great. Can't wait!

And finally, but by no means less important: Grayson volume 1: Agents of Spyral by Tim Seeley. I was surprised to get this one, since I usually don't get stuff from DC, but I do love Dick Grayson so I'm looking forward to it.

I will see you all upon my triumphant return!

Happy reading!
~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Cora Carmack Release Week Blitz: ALL PLAYED OUT!! Tour and Excerpt!

We are absolutely thrilled to bring you the Release Week Blitz for Cora Carmack's ALL PLAYED OUT! ALL PLAYED OUT is a New Adult Contemporary Romance and is the 3rd book in the Rusk University Series, published by William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins.

   

Amazon ** Barnes & Noble ** iBooks

  About ALL PLAYED OUT: First person in her family to go to college? CHECK. Straight A’s? CHECK. On track to graduate early? CHECK. Social life? …..yeah, about that…. With just a few weeks until she graduates, Antonella DeLuca’s beginning to worry that maybe she hasn’t had the full college experience. (Okay... Scratch that. She knows she hasn't had the full college experience). So Nell does what a smart, dedicated girl like herself does best. She makes a "to do" list of normal college activities. Item #1? Hook up with a jock. Rusk University wide receiver Mateo Torres practically wrote the playbook for normal college living. When he’s not on the field, he excels at partying, girls, and more partying. As long as he keeps things light and easy, it's impossible to get hurt... again. But something about the quiet, shy, sexy-as-hell Nell gets under his skin, and when he learns about her list, he makes it his mission to help her complete it. Torres is the definition of confident (And sexy. And wild), and he opens up a side of Nell that she's never known. But as they begin to check off each crazy, exciting, normal item, Nell finds that her frivolous list leads to something more serious than she bargained for. And while Torres is used to taking risks on the field, he has to decide if he's willing to take the chance when it's more than just a game. Together they will have to decide if what they have is just part of the experiment or a chance at something real.  

And don’t miss the first two books in the Rusk University Series…

ALL LINED UP, Book 1

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ALL BROKE DOWN, Book 2

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For more of what’s next in The Rusk University Series, go here!

 

Add Book 4, ALL CLOSED OFF, to your Goodreads now!

  About Cora Carmack: Cora Carmack is a twenty-something writer who likes to write about twenty-something characters. She's done a multitude of things in her life-- boring jobs (like working retail), Fun jobs (like working in a theatre), stressful jobs (like teaching), and dream jobs (like writing). She enjoys placing her characters in the most awkward situations possible, and then trying to help them get a boyfriend out of it. Awkward people need love, too. Her first book, LOSING IT, was a New York Times and USA Today bestseller.        

Website ** Twitter ** Facebook ** Author Goodreads ** ALL PLAYED OUT Goodreads

 

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ALL PLAYED OUT EXCERPT:

Dallas and Dylan toss the disk back and forth a few times, and I groan when Carson and Silas make no effort to intercept or knock down the pass. I’m pretty sure it’s a distraction, so I stick tight to Brookes, and I notice Ryan edging closer to me, too. He must have the same idea.

Next thing I know, Dallas has sent the disk soaring over our heads, and when I look, Nell is standing alone, completely unguarded in the end zone.

She’s holding her hands out and staring at the disk like it’s a missile instead of a piece of plastic. I take off toward her in case she misses it. I want to grab the disk and get it back into play as soon as I can.

As I sprint, the disk slips right through her grasping fingers and nails her in the chest. She gasps; no doubt the air was knocked out of her. The disk ricochets, and if I dive I might can manage to catch it, but I can’t quite drag my eyes away from her chest. Her tits are practically spilling out of the top of the tiny tank she’s wearing. I’d had a front-row seat earlier with my arm around her. Now she’s clutching at herself in pain, but all I can see are her smooth, delicate arms pressed against the curve of her breasts, pushing them even higher.

I should look away before something very unfortunate occurs in my baggy gym shorts, but now I’m picturing that shy girl loosening up beneath me. It’s too easy to take those wide eyes she gave me when I draped my arm around her and imagine them in the low light of my room, her head on my pillow and her legs spread wide.

She makes a soft whimpering noise, and now the rest of my senses join the fantasy, and I think of how she would feel, taste, sound. I wonder just how low I could get her inhibitions. Enough to say my name? To scream it?

“Damn,” I groan, and try to clear my head. “You all right?”

She looks up at me, still clutching at her chest, and pink spreads over her cheeks. She doesn’t say anything.

“Okay,” I say. “There is honestly no way to ask this without sounding like a pig, so I’m not even gonna try. And really, in these situations, I find you might as well go balls to the wall and throw it all out there. So … at the risk of getting slapped, how are your tits?” I think about offering to check them out for her, but I figure that’s probably taking it a step too far.

Her mouth presses into a firm straight line. “It wasn’t my ...” She trails off.

“Tits,” I finish for her. “You have them. You can say the word.”

“It hit me in the collarbone, not the breasts.”

Breasts. I raise an eyebrow, and she rolls her eyes.

I take a step forward and say, “Let me see.”

“Absolutely not.”

I take another step, until my shadow falls over her, and take hold of one wrist. “As you pointed out, you weren’t hit in the breasts. Just let me have a look. With the right strength and good wind, a disk can go as fast as twenty miles per hour. I’ve seen them break fingers and noses.”

“Dude, Torres!” Silas shouts behind me. “What are you waiting for? Grab the disk and let’s go!”

Hesitating, I ask, “You wanna take a break? Catch your breath and let me see it?”

She shakes her head stubbornly. “I don’t want the game to stop because of me.”

I turn around and shout back to Silas, “Nell and I are taking a break. You guys keep playing with eight.”

Taking her elbow, I pull her off the field toward the picnic tables. She protests, but only mildly, and she still has one hand pressed just above her cleavage. And looking down at her, I can see moisture clinging to long lashes at the corner of her eye.

I sit her down so that her back is to the field, and go down on one knee in front of her. She’s so small that it puts us eye level, and I say softly, “Move your hand.”

“It’s fine,” she says. “Just give me a couple seconds, and I’ll be fine.”

You don’t grow up with five sisters without learning that sometimes with women, words are pointless. I reach out and move her hand myself, pulling it away from her chest. The skin just below her collarbone is an angry red, and the disk scraped through a couple layers of skin. Not enough to bleed, but I bet it hurts. “Tell me how it feels. Still a sharp pain? Or more of an ache?”

Her eyebrows slant over her pretty brown eyes. “The pain was sharp and steady for approximately thirty seconds, but now it kind of stings.”

“Like a slap,” I say.

She gives a short laugh, her shoulders bouncing once before she stills in what I’m guessing is pain. “I can’t say I know what that feels like. Though I’m not surprised it’s a sensation you’re familiar with.”

I shrug. “I don’t believe in censoring my thoughts. Some people just aren’t as fond of freedom of speech as I am.”

She shakes her head, and I think she’s trying not to smile.

I reach up my left hand and as lightly as possible run my thumb over the red mark. She sucks in a breath and I ask, “Hurts to the touch?”

“Um.” She swallows and blinks a few times.

“Does it hurt a lot?”

I brush my thumb over her skin again, even lighter this time, wondering if the Frisbee could have hit hard enough to crack something. There’s already a purpling around the center that tells me it’s going to bruise pretty good.

She swallows, and my eyes are drawn to the graceful slope of her neck, up to a small chin and full lips. And it hits me then … why this girl caught my eye from the moment she walked toward our group, why I can’t drag my eyes or my hand away from her now.

She reminds me of Lina.

And the memory of the only girl I’ve ever loved packs a punch so hard that it’s my turn to raise a hand to my chest to soothe an all-too-familiar ache.

Thanks to Cora Carmack and Inkslinger for allowing me to be a part of this! I love Cora Carmack and I already have my copy of "All Played Out" pre-ordered! 

Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~