Title: Lost Prelude (Alexander & Maya, #1)

Author: Ella Maise

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

Release Date: April 14, 2015

 

Blurb

My name is Maya, and I'm not the same girl I was a month ago. There is an emptiness I carry around in my chest now. A broken heart caused by grief. There are also dark nights where I have trouble breathing as I feel the heavy weight of loss rushing through my veins, painful moments where I can remember my entire being scream in agony as I held onto my father's cold, lifeless hand. Then there is always a hero to every story, isn't there? A hero who I despised from the moment he opened his mouth. His name is Alexander. He is my inevitable I never expected to find. The one my broken heart leads me to. His existence, his touch, everything he did to make my pain bearable will leave a mark on me forever. Yet, I know that when I'm gone, he'll only remember me as a fading memory.    

Excerpt

A knock on my door startled me out of my thoughts, and I hesitated. Hearing another insistent knock just a few seconds later, I made sure my towel was secure around my body and went to answer the door. As I peeked out from the small opening, I saw Alexander standing just a few inches away from me. Our eyes met, and my pulse quickened. As I was still dripping wet, the cold air coming from the hallway caused me to shiver. His eyes broke away from mine, taking in my body from head to toe. I tried to cover my half-naked body behind the door, but it was pointless. “What do you want?” I asked, annoyed that he was doing the silent thing and just staring. I heard the elevators ping open down the hallway, and his attention shifted from me for a second. Being done with the scrutinizing look he was giving me, I started to close the door on his face, but his hand stopped me from pushing it all the way. With his next forward move, I had to let go of the door and take a step back as he strode into my room. Into me. “What the hell—” His hand shot out, and he gently grabbed me at the back of my neck and pulled my body toward him as his lips made contact with mine. He took another step into me, and I found my body plastered to his. Putting both of my hands on his chest, I tried to push him off, but he urged my lips apart with his, and his tongue sneaked into my mouth, forcing me to respond to his kiss. Because when he looked like he did, how could you not? As my body slackened against him, his sudden kiss turned into something different, something more and unexpected. It was hard, yet still gentle and slow—something I wouldn’t expect from a jerk like him. He looked more like someone who would take what he wanted the way he wanted it. Not like that would have been a hardship, but still. He splayed his warm hand at the small of my back and slowly pulled my lower body into his. I grabbed the lapels of his suit, pulling him down to me, leaning into the kiss as I melted around his body. “What was that?” he whispered against my wet lips. “What?” I muttered, dazed. Before I could realize what I had done with whom, he groaned and gently pushed me back against the open door, his hand still protecting the back of my head. Caressing my lips with his tongue, he claimed my mouth in another drawn-out kiss. A mind-numbing kiss. A kiss that made me lose my judgment. A throat cleared behind him, next to him, somewhere—and the moment was lost.    

Guest Post from Author Ella Maise

My Playlist For Certain Scenes in Lost Prelude

There is one song in Lost Prelude that plays a heavy role in the book, which I will mention just in a sec, but there are also other songs I listened to as I was writing it. And somehow the music just fits into the story. Even if the words don’t exactly match with it, the feeling I get is simply perfect for certain scenes. And I wanted to shared them with you so if you decide to give Lost Prelude a chance, maybe you’ll add to the experience with these songs. * Maurice Ravel – Pavane pour une infante défunte (Piano Solo) This piece is seriously breathtaking, and it plays a huge role in the story. While I can’t pinpoint a specific scene for this one, I do mention it in the story. At least whenever Maya is listening to it. All I can say is, it is a special one for her father. If you’ve never listened to it, you are missing out. * Until The Ribbon Breaks – One Way Or Another I LOVE this song. I loved it before I even wrote Lost Prelude, and I definitely LOVE how it is the perfect song for the end scene. I’m sure if you read it, you’ll agree with me. It’s an awesome cover for the classic One Way Or Another. Everytime I listen to it I get goosebumps. * Snowhill – Be My Baby Did you hear this version? I know I keep saying the same thing over and over, but this one is beautiful too. And this one works great for the scene where Maya is with Alexander in his penthouse. And it’s from Alexander to Maya ... I adore every word in this song. * Sam Smith – Not in That Way Okay, I have to admit that this one isn’t specifically for a scene, but it is an awesome song. And it kind of gives you an insight of how Maya is feeling.  

About the Author

I'm an avid reader. Therefore, a big dreamer. I love nothing more than to escape real life to find those very few magical moments in a book. I love how it has the power of stealing your worries away, putting a smile on your face, and of course sometimes making you crush on fictional characters. I can't even begin to describe how exciting it is to give life to new characters and fall for them. It's definitely a different kind of addiction. I'm still searching for my own happy ending. Until that happens, I'll live vicariously through my own characters.

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Blog Tour: Loving Kate by D. Kelly (Book 3 of The Acceptance Series)

Katherine Moore has loved Michael Matthews since they were children. She’s also in love with his best friend. After her world was turned upside down, she made an impulsive choice which may have cost her the loves of her life. Now, as she tries to make amends, she has to choose one of them. But how do you choose between two men who love you unconditionally? Things continue to get even more complicated with the arrival of baby Lucas. In the midst of it all, her college graduation looms on the horizon and her future has never seemed more unclear. When she finally declares which man she can’t live without, he refuses to let Kate back into his heart. Everything seems hopeless until a sudden change of events puts her in day to day contact with the man she loves. As they both struggle to accept their new circumstances, Kate can’t help but hope this will be their second chance at happily ever after. Will the man of her dreams be able to forgive her or will she finally have to accept that she’s truly lost the love of her life? Loving Kate is the third and final full-length novel in The Acceptance Series.

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EXCERPT:

It’s crowded, but since it’s a weeknight, it’s not nearly as packed as usual. Since I’m about to lose my bull riding virginity I’m thankful for the slightly smaller crowd. As promised, Mike goes first but the ride operator isn’t as gentle on the men and he flies off pretty quickly. I think he might have wacked his balls against the hand hold on his way down. He winces a bit as he gets up. “You okay?” I ask him, giggling, but I’m truly worried about his man parts. He pulls me in close, his breath caressing my ear. I’m holding my breath as he whispers, “I think my baby makers are broken.” I laugh as he places a kiss on my cheek. “Good luck, baby, now go ride that bull like you’d ride me.” He says it loud enough for everyone to hear and if I thought I was going to go deaf from the music before that was nothing compared to the whooping and hollering of the crowd. Of course the ride operator uses it to his advantage “What’s your girl’s name?” he yells across to Mike. There’s a devious gleam in Mike’s eyes as he replies “Jessica, but all her good friends call her Jess.” He nods that he’s got it and after I’m straddled onto the bull, he holds nothing back. “Alright, everyone, let’s hear it for our new friend Jess! Now, we all heard her boyfriend tell her to ride our bull like she rides him at home, so I think we’re in for a show.” My cheeks were already flushed from the alcohol, my palms sweaty from nerves, but the embarrassment zinging through me makes my entire body burn. I catch Mike out of the corner of my eyes, laughing and shrugging his shoulders in a semi apology. At least he had the decency to not give my real name. The bull starts off nice and slow, periodically gyrating a few times in a forward motion, but I’m able to hold on with just one hand. I don’t really know how long this goes on, maybe a minute or so, when I hear the announcer tell Mike over the PA system that he’s a lucky man. At this point, he’s done being nice and the bull starts bucking around like crazy. I’m able to hold it together for about another thirty seconds or so before I go flying off. Someone helps me to my feet and I stumble over to Mike as the crowd starts chanting ‘kiss, kiss, kiss, kiss’. Hell, at this point what does it matter? Mike’s eyes seek permission from mine as I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him close. He kisses me and the crowd goes wild. It’s just like the kiss we shared in my bed a few days ago—a little more than just friends, but not exactly like lovers. Whatever it is, I allow myself to feel it and the crowd cheers their approval.

Check out the whole series today! Breaking Kate (Book 1 of The Acceptance Series) Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo

Catching Kate (Book 1.5 of The Acceptance Series) Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo

Releasing Kate (Book 2 of The Acceptance Series) Amazon | B&N | Kobo

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We are so excited to bring you the Cover Reveal for Rachel Robinson's SET IN STONE!! SET IN STONE is the standalone companion novel to the Rachel's International Bestseller, CRAZY GOOD. Be sure to add SET IN STONE to your Goodreads TBR pile and grab your copy April 9th!!  

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  SET IN STONE Synopsis: A standalone companion novel to the International Bestseller, CRAZY GOOD. There is something all too vague about second chances. What happens when your utterly perfect first chance never really ends? What if it’s stolen? Bull-nosed attorney Morganna Sterns knows what she wants. Self assured, powerful, and independent, she finds herself struggling to find balance between honoring what has been stolen, and deciding if her second chance is going to end just as tragically. Steven Warner is a Navy SEAL with nothing to lose. His overt humor and charm paired with his lethal skill set make him a perfect catch--for the right type of woman. His world is littered with relationships, but only one stands the test of time. Competing with a ghost is hard. Especially when that ghost is a teammate: his brother at arms. It’s not, “it is what it is.” It’s what you make it. What you, and only you decide it should be. Navy SEALs never make the same mistake twice. Will Morganna?       About Rachel Robinson: Rachel Robinson grew up in a small, quiet town full of loud talkers. Her words were always only loud on paper. She has been writing stories and creating characters for as long as she can remember. After living on the west coast for many years she recently moved to Virginia Beach, VA. Crazy Good, her contemporary romance novel, is an International Amazon bestseller.    

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