Cover by: Marisa Shor of Cover Me, Darling

Release Date: February 29, 2016

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Blurb:

For as long as he could remember, Sebastian had been cursed.

It began with the tragic death of his parents when he inherited the modern art gallery. It continued every day when he looked in the mirror and saw a monster where a man should be. He’d tried everything without success. Then he happened upon her, his cure, the one who could give him a second chance at life, love and happiness.

After years of repairing what her father destroyed during his drunken rampages, opening a shop for repurposed and redesigned furniture seemed a natural progression for Marisa. When Sebastian hired her, she finally had a chance to get paid to do what she’d done for years for free. It seemed like a win, until he proposed.

The moment they met, Sebastian was drawn to her. Of course, losing everything in thirty days if he didn’t marry was a huge incentive. So he asked and she refused. An experienced negotiator, he never gave up when he had his heart set on something. For Marisa, marriage wasn’t on the table and love wasn’t negotiable. Still, always quick to see the best in others, she looked at him and saw a project, her ultimate redesign. Maybe even Sebastian deserved a second chance.

Sebastian breathed into my hair. He seemed saddened by my words. I wanted to explain, to make him feel better. I’d die right now if he felt sorry for me. Instead, he beat me to it. “I was going to try to convince you to stay,” he whispered.

“I’ll stay.” A smile spread across my face, and I squeezed him even tighter.

“You can’t stay like that.” He shook his head. “You basically just admitted you’re a virgin.”

“Wait. Does staying mean we have to have sex?” I leaned back and stared up at his face, my brow furrowed. “Maybe I’m not ready to stay. No need to have all my firsts in one night, right?”

The side of Sebastian’s mouth quirked. “Right. Maybe just one more though…for both of us.”

There was something in the way he stared down at me, the intensity of it, like he was seeing straight into my soul. I couldn’t look away. I didn’t want to. Still, my mouth opened slightly as he swooped down and matched his lips to mine in another searing kiss. The heat between us had me going up in flames and awakened a need in me, the same way the sun stirred seeds to life in the spring. The way our tongues danced in a rhythm I somehow knew, despite never being taught. I wanted more, so much more. For the first time, I wanted everything. Sharing my secrets with him wasn’t enough. Now I wanted to share my body, give myself to him, heart and soul. Sebastian didn’t even have to ask, I’d offer, if only to make the aching cease.

It was as if he knew because he suddenly stopped, pulled back, and pressed his forehead to mine. My eyes shot open and I discovered his were still closed, an unfamiliar look on his face as he bit hard on his lower lip. Acting entirely on instinct, I moved, trying to secure one more kiss, missing our newfound closeness already. “More,” I murmured as I pressed my body to his.

To my disappointment and surprise, Sebastian shook his head. “No way, sunshine.” Exhaling slowly, he scooped me up in his arms and walked me through the condo until he deposited me on his bed in a seated position.

Though I had no idea what we were going to do now, I had no desire to argue. Reaching around behind me, I grabbed at my zipper and yanked it down. Soon the dress began to slip down my shoulders while I stared him in the eyes.

“Marisa, we can’t. Not tonight. I’m not stealing your v-card after one mediocre date.” He smiled shyly as he climbed onto the bed beside me. “If and when we take that step, we’ll both be completely sober and deeply in love.” Cupping the back of my head, Sebastian pressed his lips to my cheek and pulled the dress onto my shoulders.

“But you said one more first. You carried me to your room.” The confusion made me self-conscious. If I had more experience, maybe I’d understand. Instead, I wanted to cry, hot tears of embarrassment already prickling my eyes.

He nodded. “Would you like to spend the night here, in my arms?” Sebastian drew me close. “I’ve never done that before, never simply slept with any girl for the whole night…or at all for that matter.” Then he ducked his head so we were eye to eye. “But you have to wear clothes to bed. I’m not that strong and you’re practically impossible to resist. Okay?

Immediately, I brightened. “So, I’m kinda irresistible?” There was no hiding my grin. “Yes, sunshine. You’re so damn desirable, I have no idea how I’m going to keep my word.” My smile must’ve faltered some then. “Don’t worry. I will. I promise, you’re safe with me.

Sebastian released me then, moved from the bed to the closet and returned with a t-shirt for me to wear. I snatched it from his hands and rushed to the open bathroom door I’d spied while he carried me in here. It only took a few minutes for me to change. When I returned, he was already wearing his own t-shirt and pajama pants. As I walked toward him, he pulled back the covers. “Climb in, Marisa. I’m going to hold you while you fall asleep.”

His words were all the invitation I needed. With all the restraint of a toddler and with the skills of a gazelle, I bounced into bed, struggling to hide the giggles bubbling in my throat.

“Let it out. Then come here.” He grinned and opened his arms to me.

Seconds later, I had positioned myself nicely. I thought. Only then I hadn’t. I shifted again and some more. Nope, my arm started hurting. Finally, without saying a word, Sebastian moved me onto my side, facing away from him. “But,” I argued, my voice barely louder than a whimper.

Soon, he had wrapped himself around me, pressed his groin against my ass, and had his face buried in my neck. After he planted a few lingering kisses there, Sebastian murmured, “Sleep well, Marisa.”

This story of romance, anger, love and a tad bit of intrigue deals will two broken people who find each other and somehow discover that there is someone out there just for them. The theme of anger, emotional abuse and alcoholism is prevalent throughout the story but it is not the main theme. The author does a superb job of intertwining it throughout, in a manner that explains why they are broken and how their characters developed from children to adults.

Marisa though guarded is a strong women and you see how she has learned to cope with her father in a productive manner with some quirks as byproducts of her father. She is resourceful as well as strong headed which is appealing in a leading character.

For me, Sebastian took a while to figure out between what was reality and what was the result of his uncles abuse. Of the two he is the most damaged while giving the appearance of a successful rich man. He comes across as someone I wouldn't care to know but he develops into a very interesting man.

I give this 3-1/2 STARS because a part of me wanted more consistency in how it flowed.

meet emma nichols

What made her decide to be a romance author? Simple. How else was she going to parlay her two favorite past times into a career? Emma is single and loving it. Like her first character, Alysin, Sin for short, she doesn't believe in settling or in settling down. She loves to indulge in her passions whenever the mood strikes and enjoys keeping all of life's cliché moments spicy. Known for her sense of humor, Emma surrounds herself with friends whose antics often become the source of book fodder. Her ideal situation would be to explore the Caribbean while writing. She pursues that dream daily.