
Dirty Letters by Vi Keeland & Penelope Ward – new release,review
5th November 2019

BLURB
I’d never forgotten him—a man I’d yet to meet.
Griffin Quinn was my childhood pen pal, the British boy who couldn’t have been more different from me. Over the years, through hundreds of letters, we became best friends, sharing our deepest, darkest secrets and forming a connection I never thought could break.
Until one day it did.
Then, out of the blue, a new letter arrived. A scathing one—one with eight years of pent-up anger. I had no choice but to finally come clean as to why I stopped writing.
Griffin forgave me, and somehow we were able to rekindle our childhood connection. Only now we were adults, and that connection had grown to a spark. Our letters quickly went from fun to flirty to downright dirty, revealing our wildest fantasies. So it only made sense that we would take our relationship to the next level and see each other in person.
Only Griff didn’t want to meet. He asked that I trust him and said it was for the best. But I wanted more—more Griff, in the flesh—so I took a big chance and went looking for him. People have done crazier things for love.
But what I found could change everything.
REVIEW – Holy smokes what a fantastic story, an intricately weaved dual POV story that spans years but amps up the romance and hotness as it progresses. I have been in a deep,deep book funk recently and this book managed to pull me out and give me the back all the feelings when reading romance stories like this. Hot and sexy, ho so funny and i love the character development through the story but also from their letters it adds a more intricate dimension to their story like you are peeking i when you should not be to their secret thoughts. Go read this book now and BTW i love the cover with the brooding male and letters in the background
PURCHASE LINKS
Goodreads ➜ https://fave.co/35YQMes
Amazon ➜ https://fave.co/2W5yQuj
Audio ➜ https://fave.co/2N3vVOB
Amazon Print ➜ https://fave.co/2BAX9a8
Sign up for Vi & Penelope’s mailing list now and be the first one notified when it goes live! ➜ https://www.subscribepage.com/2FreeBooks
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
VI KEELAND:
Vi Keeland is a #1 New York Times, #1 Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author. With millions of books sold, her titles have appeared in over a hundred Bestseller lists and are currently translated in twenty-five languages. She resides in New York with her husband and their three children where she is living out her own happily ever after with the boy she met at age six.
VI’S SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
Facebook Fan Group:
Facebook:
Website:
Twitter:
@vikeeland
Instagram:
@Vi_Keeland
Goodreads:
PENELOPE WARD:
Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance.
She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.
With over two million books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over twenty novels. Her books have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.
PENELOPE’S SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
Facebook:
Facebook Private Fan Group:
Instagram:
@penelopewardauthor
Twitter:
OTHER BOOKS BY VI KEELAND AND PENELOPE WARD:
Park Avenue Player:
Amazon: https://fave.co/2BEUOuN
Audio: https://fave.co/31H10No
Amazon print: https://fave.co/2pIcuTF
Hate Notes:
Amazon: https://fave.co/2WO8WtG
Amazon UK: https://fave.co/2RocfGN
Audio: https://fave.co/2RocykV
THE RUSH DUET:
Rebel Heir (Rush, Book 1):
Amazon: https://fave.co/2KrzwHd
Rebel Heart (Rush, Book 2):
Amazon: https://fave.co/2WPOCbg
Cocky Bastard:
Amazon: https://fave.co/2RmKjmE
Stuck-Up Suit:
Amazon: https://fave.co/2Kpo5jq
Playboy Pilot:
Amazon: https://fave.co/2KoirhF
Mister Moneybags:
Amazon: https://fave.co/2RjeCuy
British Bedmate:
Amazon: https://fave.co/2x4yrwk
OTHER BOOKS BY VI KEELAND
All Grown Up:
Amazon ebook: https://fave.co/2Z3Hsq2
Audio: https://fave.co/2Z5hJgV
We Shouldn’t:
Amazon ebook: https://fave.co/2YETfX8
Audio: https://fave.co/2YFAVx1
The Naked Truth:
Amazon: https://fave.co/2HwdQHA
Sex, Not Love:
Amazon: https://fave.co/2HGCa8p
Beautiful Mistake:
Amazon: https://fave.co/2YIh9kn
Egomaniac:
Amazon: https://fave.co/2VZ6qWc
Bossman:
Amazon: https://fave.co/2YHKwU5
The Baller:
Amazon: https://fave.co/2HtjFoZ
Life on Stage series (2 Standalone Books)
Throb:
Amazon: https://fave.co/2HHz0Bq
Beat:
Amazon: https://fave.co/2VQJM1S
Worth the Fight:
Amazon: https://fave.co/2HuEHDI
Worth the Chance:
Amazon: https://fave.co/2HvOwBl
Worth Forgiving:
Amazon: https://fave.co/2HLrd5m
Worth It All (Complete Fighter Series):
Amazon: https://fave.co/2YHAxOw
Belong to You:
Amazon: https://fave.co/2HwaNiB
Made for You:
Amazon: https://fave.co/2HulnX4
Left Behind (A Young Adult Novel):
By:Vi Keeland & Dylan Scott
Amazon: https://fave.co/2VU2gyI
OTHER BOOKS BY PENELOPE WARD:
The Day He Came Back:
Amazon: https://fave.co/2Nm6Ujn
Amazon print: https://fave.co/2Zlbu86
When August Ends:
Amazon: https://fave.co/2WOsEWr
Amazon Print: https://fave.co/2x37hWQ
Love Online:
Amazon: https://fave.co/2x2Hi1A
Gentleman Nine:
Amazon: https://fave.co/2KlJREE
Drunk Dial:
Amazon: https://fave.co/2Rq4vnR
Mack Daddy:
Amazon: https://fave.co/2wZadUi
RoomHate:
Amazon: https://fave.co/2x3n6wM
Stepbrother Dearest:
Amazon: https://fave.co/2KqyP0Q
Neighbor Dearest:
Amazon: https://fave.co/2WP3C9p
Jaded and Tyed (A novelette):
Amazon Print only: https://fave.co/2wZo9h7
Audio: https://fave.co/2WPO0lY
Sins of Sevin:
Amazon: https://fave.co/2KqUczk
Jake Undone (Jake #1):
Amazon: https://fave.co/2KqA1RU
Jake Understood (Jake #2):
Amazon: https://fave.co/2RopKXd
My Skylar:
Amazon: https://fave.co/2Rn2WH8
Gemini:
Amazon: https://fave.co/2Rqh82q

Book ‘Em Piper – Danielle Norman
Iron Badges #3, Iron Orchids #10
8th October 2019

BLURB
I grew up on the wrong side of the tracks, an area that even the cops avoided.
The only light in my dark, was the boy next door. He was my hero.
And I was his Sunshine, at least that is what he called me.
Liam Kane wasn’t just my neighbor, he was my first and only crush.
He looked after me when I couldn’t look after myself.
When he disappeared my life returned to an endless grey.
Now after all these years we’re face to face.
But we’re standing on opposite sides of the law.
He’s a part of the Heretics MC and I’m a deputy.
I’m all grown up and more than capable of handling myself.
But I dream about Liam’s capable hands.
Everything has changed… except my feelings for him.
REVIEW – I am new to this author and i am loving her writing. I did not read this book in the order of the series but i do not think that detracts from the story which was brilliant and really helped get me out of a book funk. This author writes strong capable women finding love and not backing down from a challenge. A hot and sexy story about two people re-connecting but both being in very different circumstances to where they where when younger. Hot and sexy and i now want to read more of the series.
GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/47347051-book-em-piper
PURCHASE LINKS
US: https://amzn.to/2lPW6yT
UK: https://amzn.to/2m0yWFP
CA: https://amzn.to/2lkv6ai
AU: https://amzn.to/2mZpeDJ
B&N: http://bit.ly/2ntYvQ1
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2nxlry5
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2lkaq27
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2novCoi
EXCERPT
“Who the fuck?” I couldn’t believe that I was getting hard just from seeing the back of a woman across a smoke-filled room. Maybe I shouldn’t be that shocked, my sex life had been sparse since going undercover. Having someone’s sloppy seconds, literally, since I was low man on the totem pole, was just gross.
I straightened and moved closer to the dancer, glancing over to Sage, who was wide-eyed with curiosity. Not an ounce of jealousy or anger in her features. I was close enough to see that the dancer didn’t have red hair as I’d originally thought, that was a trick of the lights. No, this woman had strawberry blonde hair just like . . .
I was going to fucking kill her—that was, if Bladder didn’t recognize her and kill her first. I wanted to ring her perfect neck. Hell, I wanted to ring Sage’s neck for bringing a cop here. She knew better.
I glanced over my shoulder toward the guys, who were watching me and cheering me on.
Bladder was focused on the woman standing between his legs and her hand on his crotch.
Thank fuck.
“Sweet thing is gonna get some!” Bear yelled.
“Give ’em something to suck!” Flagpole hollered. His voice, as always, carried above everyone else’s.
Several of the women turned and stared at me. But not Piper, she was still facing away, dancing as if she were alone. I moved forward, wrapping my hands around her waist and pulling her flush against me. “What the fuck are you doing here? Did you not learn your lesson the other day?”
“I’m sorry, what was your name again?” Piper practically purred.
I leaned in closer. “You know damn well what my name is, but don’t say it.”
Her whole body froze for the briefest of seconds, a reaction that could be explained away as her adjusting to the rhythm of the new song instead of shock. I knew it for what it was, and it pissed me the fuck off. She hadn’t let well enough alone.
“I needed to see you,” she panted, and her sultry voice hit me straight in my cock. She brought her hands back and grabbed onto the sides of my legs, her hands on my thighs was hot. “You need to step back and let me be. You’re either who I want you to be or you’re not.” She shimmied her ass against my growing cock.
“Fuckkkk, this isn’t funny.”
“I agree, I don’t see anyone laughing.”
But she was wrong, because from the corner of my eye, I saw smirks on her friends’ faces. I wrapped a hand around her neck and pulled her head back so that it was resting against my shoulder, I made it look forceful, but it wasn’t. Quickly, the circle of dancing women closed in around her. “Let your friends know that I’m not hurting you.” I was pressed to Piper’s back so I couldn’t see what she did or mouthed, but the women around her noticeably relaxed.
“I want to talk with you.” Her voice was raspy.
“No, you don’t. I’m not the same person you used to know.”
“I didn’t ask if you were the same person, I’m not the same person, I’m all grown up, see?” She pressed her hips back again. Fuck.
ALSO AVAILABLE
Badges Prequel – FREE on all platforms!
US: https://amzn.to/2m2s0bp
UK: https://amzn.to/2mRtllx
CA: https://amzn.to/2lPB6s2
AU: https://amzn.to/2m0gdKG
B&N: http://bit.ly/2lP4grj
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2lPCc78
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2loksPW
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2nukJBr
#1 Book’em Sadie
US: https://amzn.to/2mUCtWm
UK: https://amzn.to/2lnMRWn
CA: https://amzn.to/2lYulnF
AU: https://amzn.to/2mZLXQ3
B&N: http://bit.ly/2nr9Hgd
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2m2zjzR
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2lYCpEZ
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2lgB3F8
#2 Book’em Bridget
US: https://amzn.to/2m2zRpp
UK: https://amzn.to/2nrbwd3
CA: https://amzn.to/2mXu9VI
AU: https://amzn.to/2lZa812
B&N: http://bit.ly/2mSSxba
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2npgtTJ
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2mZBsfB
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2lkHNSt
AUTHOR BIO
Before becoming a romance writer, Danielle was a body double for Heidi Klum and a backup singer for Adele. Now, she spends her days trying to play keep away from Theo James who won’t stop calling her or asking her out.
And all of this happens before she wakes up and faces reality where in fact she is a 50 something mom with grown kids, she’s been married longer than Theo’s been alive, and now get her kicks riding a Harley.
As far as her body, she can thank, Ben & Jerry’s for that as well as gravity and vodka. But she says that she could never be Adele’s backup since she never stops saying the F-word long enough to actually sing.
Danielle writes about kickass women with even better shoes and the men that try to tame them (silly silly men).
AUTHOR LINKS
Website: https://www.daniellenorman.com
Newsletter: http://daniellenorman.com/news
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authordaniellenorman
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ironorchids
Twitter: https://twitter.com/1DanielleNorman
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1daniellenorman
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17062398.Danielle_Norman
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Danielle-Norman/e/B07652ZRN2
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/danielle-norman/id1289696900
Book+Main: https://bookandmainbites.com/daniellenorman
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/danielle-norman
When August Ends – Penelope Ward
When August Ends
25th February 2019

A Standalone Contemporary Romance Novel
NY Times, USA Today, and #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author Penelope Ward
NOW LIVE!
Amazon ➜ https://amzn.to/2XnZUW3
Audio ➜ https://amzn.to/2BEz4ja
Amazon Print ➜ https://amzn.to/2SY4Zoj
Apple Books ➜ https://apple.co/2Tj776z
Nook ➜ https://bit.ly/2IiEqX7
Kobo ➜ https://bit.ly/2BAL4lC
Google Play ➜ http://bit.ly/2BCw3Qc
Goodreads ➜ http://bit.ly/2SL1z9e
Synopsis:
What do you do when a sexy, older man moves into your family’s summer rental?
Well, apparently, you make a fool of yourself—over and over. Things didn’t exactly get off on the right foot with Noah Cavallari. Our first encounter was embarrassing, to say the least.
But despite that, I found myself waking up every day with a newfound energy. Nothing exciting ever happened on the lake—not until Noah moved into the small boathouse on our property. He’d booked it for the entire summer…and I was still trying to figure out why.
When my mother became ill, I inherited the responsibility of making sure our guests were well taken care of. I should have been in college. Instead, I was living my best life…as a maid.
Dark, handsome, and mysterious, everything about Noah screamed forbidden.
I knew he was just passing through town for the summer.
I knew he was probably too old for me.
Yet, I was drawn to him.
Not to mention, he tried to save my life when he mistakenly thought I was drowning.
I wanted him and made no secret of it.
His own attempts to warn me away soon gave way to late-night moonlight chats by the lake. We were slowly easing into a friendship that was gearing up to explode into something I might not recover from.
Because he’s leaving at the end of the summer.
And I have no idea what I’ll do when August ends.
REVIEW – The perfect book for these still cold evenings, so i loved snuggling down and reading this story set during a hot summer. The cover is gorgeous and gives the perfect image of our lead man Noah – older,brooding and intensely handsome. Heather though younger than Noah may still be younger and at times not lived life like Noah, but they have a connection that cannot be denied. Heather may not have gone to college and maybe younger than Noah but in someways with her mum and her life she is older and more wiser about life. A very emotional romance story that has you feeling the hot summer evenings through the pages and the longing for someone who is out of reach. Perfect blend of romance, emotions and character make this a superb 5 star book
About the Author:
Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance.
She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor.
Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.
With over one-point-five million books sold, she is a twenty-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over twenty novels.
Sign up for Penelope’s mailing list: http://eepurl.com/MnXoH
Find Penelope here:
Website: http://www.penelopewardauthor.com
Gmail: penelopewardauthor@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/penelopewardauthor
Facebook Fan Group (Penelope’s Peeps): https://www.facebook.com/groups/PenelopesPeeps/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PenelopeAuthor
Instagram: @penelopewardauthor http://instagram.com/PenelopeWardAuthor/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7105545.Penelope_Ward?from_search=true
Other books from Penelope Ward
Standalone Novels
Love Online:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2obQRa2
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2LzO4om
B&N: http://bit.ly/2wfHUQO
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2MYBexz
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2ORdVWT
Audio: https://adbl.co/2KAWnMq
Gentleman Nine
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2KoRJC5
iBooks: http://bit.ly/2D7K7Qi
Nook: http://bit.ly/2EPuDCn
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2nMeoP3
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2C9ESTm
Drunk Dial
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2rcBbVl
iBooks: http://apple.co/2tq7dRz
Nook: http://bit.ly/2xeEH2H
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2ihXnMD
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2LzQ2Fg
Mack Daddy
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2regybn
iTunes: http://apple.co/2iNrIPj
B&N: http://hyperurl.co/aiypfj
Kobo: http://hyperurl.co/r3hv19
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2LhHZxB
RoomHate
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2rficJw
iTunes: http://apple.co/1PgsvE7
B&N: http://bit.ly/1PLGnSL
kobo: http://bit.ly/1POvSnW
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2JMo306
Stepbrother Dearest
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2FBxe1G
ITunes: http://bit.ly/YER0mT
B&N: http://bit.ly/1taMFjG
kobo: http://bit.ly/1fJaaBs
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2JJV90V
Neighbor Dearest
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2JJQPz2
iTunes: http://apple.co/29mC6L8
B&N: http://bit.ly/2akQ2aq
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2axt1SY
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2LFzZTn
Jaded and Tyed (A novelette)
Amazon Print only: https://amzn.to/2JLzTYJ
Audio: https://adbl.co/2LVET1V
Sins of Sevin
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2I6i3T6
iTunes: http://apple.co/1K8mzGg
B&N: http://bit.ly/1hTKAKE
kobo: http://bit.ly/1OaGY3D
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2LImsup
Jake Undone
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2KoQnYd
iTunes: http://apple.co/1fJayQ8
B&N: http://bit.ly/1obAwJ6
kobo: http://bit.ly/1SPKl0M
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2uU45v3
Jake Understood (Jake #2)
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2rbAlZQ
iTunes: http://apple.co/1DQQwgC
B&N: http://bit.ly/1FwJC0z
kobo: http://bit.ly/1LQ7Fvk
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2JHWUM0
My Skylar
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Fwe78V
iTunes: http://bit.ly/SLNOTR
B&N: http://bit.ly/SLO1qi
kobo: http://bit.ly/1kNrtAB
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2mzqkmn
Gemini
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2rggfwv
iTunes: http://apple.co/1QTaONj
B&N: http://bit.ly/1KfmLHD
kobo: http://bit.ly/1BGJ2wu
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2zYoXXP
BOOKS BY PENELOPE WARD & VI KEELAND:
Hate Notes:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2RrY8iw
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2qxG2R2
Audio: https://amzn.to/2zR81AE
The Rush Series (2 Book Series)
Rebel Heir
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2JHynHe
iBooks: https://goo.gl/iG6fmD
B&N: http://smarturl.it/ubjd6b
Kobo: https://goo.gl/iU76VK
Rebel Heart
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2KuY8Me
iBooks: https://apple.co/2oleXyJ
B&N: http://smarturl.it/ew2ggj
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2H7FRCm
Cocky Bastard
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2JIy7HT
iTunes: http://apple.co/1PffE2J
B&N: http://bit.ly/1EjxNpY
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1UxCSUO
Stuck-Up Suit
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2KvRMfE
iBooks: http://apple.co/1Qbwy57
B&N: http://bit.ly/29vrQhV
Kobo: http:// bit.ly/1RJdUif
Playboy Pilot
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2HFAtec
iBooks: http://apple.co/1Wb06Cf
B&N: bit.ly/2caXPEK
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2cJDXO1
Mister Moneybags
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2HFgHzm
iBooks: http://smarturl.it/3y1tuq
B&N: http://smarturl.it/kx7h8m
Kobo http://smarturl.it/qqf5ho
British Bedmate
(Previously titled Dear Bridget, I want you):
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2sGyJbZ
Apple Books: http://smarturl.it/y4x3xi
B&N: http://smarturl.it/o780mb
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/dear-bridget-i-want-you
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2LANW8s
WHEN AUGUST ENDS – NOW LIVE!
Amazon ➜ https://amzn.to/2XnZUW3
Audio ➜ https://amzn.to/2BEz4ja
Amazon Print ➜ https://amzn.to/2SY4Zoj
Apple Books ➜ https://apple.co/2Tj776z
Nook ➜ https://bit.ly/2IiEqX7
Kobo ➜ https://bit.ly/2BAL4lC
Google Play ➜ http://bit.ly/2BCw3Qc
Goodreads ➜ http://bit.ly/2SL1z9e
Everest – S.L. Scott
Everest
7th December 2017

irresistible.
with skill, dazzled me with his charisma, and proceeded to steal my heart right
after.
fell for him the second time.
gorgeous.
spoke to my heart with her wit, seduced me with her eyes, and became the only
thing that made sense in a world that made none.
back together?
take my clothes off and hang them on a hook near the door before returning to
the tub.
in, eases my aching feet from my high heels and the tension in my shoulders. I
pour some of the bubble suds and giggle. That was so cute and showed me a whole
new side to Ethan—the at-home Texan who relates to his roots—instead of the
strong, quieter, broodier man I see sometimes.
fills, I look out the window. The sky is clear up here. The buildings are far
enough apart to avoid spying on neighbors. It’s like floating in heaven.
call, “Come in,” while making sure the bubbles cover all the important parts.
champagne in one hand and the bottle in the other.
back on one side of the tub.
waggles his eyebrows.
“Come on in,” I reply and wonder if he will really take me up on my dare.
down on the side of the tub. His tie was removed before he came in and I notice
his shoes are long gone, along with his jacket. When he starts on the buttons
of his shirt, I sit up, scooping suds over me. “Wait, for real?”
for the two of us.”
one. Seems like an opportune time.”
about everything—his body naked next to mine, not shaving my legs before I went
out tonight. My mind flickers through my flaws. Ugh. No. Just no. Not like
that. That stuff should be shared in the dark of a bedroom under the influence
of alcohol and desperate sex. We’re too sober for this. I’m too sober for this.
What does he possibly see in me when he has women like Nicolina waiting?
some senses, it scares me. He’s the sort of man women like Nicolina land. For
once though, it was as if she saw me as competition. The feeling is
exhilarating.
opportune time.”
following quickly behind. Good God Almighty. What does a guy who looks like
that see in me? “I see you like to work out.” I clear my throat and want to
bonk my head on the side of the tub for saying it out loud.
down the hall. It’s how I relieve stress.”
I gasp and cover my mouth, wishing I could keep my crazy thoughts in my head
where they belong instead of on my tongue. His eyes are heavy, a smirky smirk
restraining a laugh. “God, you cannot let me talk when I’m nervous.”
nervous, I’ll make you nervous more often.” His pants come down and my
curiosity is answered. Tonight he’s in boxers. When he catches my eyes on his
package, I’m thankful I’m wearing waterproof mascara because I immediately go
underwater. Screw my makeup. It’s really the only way to keep my mouth in check
at this point. I count to five and then pop back up. With my hands covering my
boobs, I ask, “You’re really coming in?”
The Sounds of Secrets by Whitney Barbetti – newly released
The Sounds of Secrets
6th December 2017
with him forever.But to him, I’ve always been off-limits. Until the night that changed everything.
Maybe it was the alcohol. Maybe it was the secrets we shared. Maybe he finally
opened his eyes and saw me.
By the time the sun rose, I’d lost him again, my heart shattering on his
parting words: “It was a mistake.” So I ran. Ran until I was thousands of miles
away, in a country I didn’t know, surrounded by people who only made me miss
him more.
I never expected him to follow me … or to pry more secrets from my soul. In
exchange, he gave me more of his secrets too.
The more he let me into his heart, the more I loved him, but I’m afraid that
some secrets may be too big to overcome.
to throw up from the nerves.
when you’re expecting Sam to come into your room any second.
feeling was so strong. I popped a mint from my bedside table in my mouth, rolled
it around my tongue a few times, but the urge was still there.
Was this a mistake? Was inviting Sam into my room a big fat problem? I was
leaving for America tomorrow.
itinerary, neatly stacked on my chest of drawers laughed at me. What was I
going to do? I couldn’t let Sam come up here.
fisted in my hair as I berated myself for telling him to come. What was I
thinking? I wasn’t some sexual nymph, skilled in the way Sam surely was. I
wasn’t a virgin, but I hadn’t actually messed around with a bunch of guys.
know what to do.
the door, pressed my palm flat to it. I’d lock it. Then he couldn’t come in.
He’d walk away, and we’d forget this ever happened.
kissed him, my
memory taunted me. Three years later, and
you’re still wondering ‘what if.’
no reasonable escape from this situation. And, if there was, there was no
escape that would make me not obsess over the ‘what if.’
okay, I told myself. Of course it would. Sex was nothing, right?
didn’t even believe my own thoughts. My nerves battled with my own desire. I
couldn’t process a single thing.
fingers over my eyebrows or, what was left of them that wasn’t colored in, at
least. I’d pulled so many out in the days leading up to the trip, needing some
control over this impending trip.
my fingers to the sides of my face, tugging on my earlobes to ground me, and
then, in tandem, I pulled out a hair with each hand. The immediate relief was
nearly as intoxicating as the alcohol I’d consume in how it numbed my fears.
okay.
cleansing breath, looking around my room for anything potentially embarrassing.
were open, so I closed them, leaving my room in soft, muted grays aside from
the yellow lamp that lit up my dressing table.
on the back of the lamp to turn it off when my door creaked open.
in the threshold, nearly taking up the entire space.
the light off.
a few loud heartbeats before he said, “Turn it back on.”
hesitated.
see him, but I heard the creak on the floor by the door. “Turn it on, Lotte.”
hard, I did.
was illuminated again in soft light, casting shadows into the angles of Sam’s
face—making him look exactly as he was: dangerous.