Hey, book bae!
The last two books of the holiday novella set have been completed. I hope to have them ordered within the next few days, but Amazon is already releasing January delivery dates because it is the holiday season. I will get them to you as quickly as I can, but EXPECT THESE TO TAKE LONGER THAN THE PREVIOUS TWO BOOKS!
If you have not placed your order yet, you have until the 20th to do so. After that, these books will not be available for purchase until next year around this same time. You can order here.
Check out the samples below!
And also, audiobooks are available here!
Synopsis:
Holly hates Christmas, and it’s been that way ever since she was fifteen. No matter how much her teenaged daughter, Ailey, tries to lift her spirit… it never seems to work. Christmas just isn’t the same without her first love, and it doesn’t help that that time is a bitter reminder of the day he left her. But Emmanuel didn’t leave Holly with nothing to remember him by—he left her with their child—a child he knows nothing about. When Holly and Emmanuel make their way back into each other’s lives… they both have truths and secrets that are hard for the other to digest. Will their reunion be a Christmas miracle, or will his return make Holly hate the holiday even more?
Sample:
“Mm,” she moaned, digging her small orange spoon inside. The moment Holly placed the spoon into her mouth, her body weakened and eyes closed in delight… but not even a second passed before the energy around her shifted.
As cold as it was outside, her body heated while chills covered her arms. Though she felt a presence behind her, Holly was in no rush to turn around and see who it was. They weren’t outside alone, so she didn’t fear for her life, but the feeling in the pit of her gut was definitely unsettling.
“You deserve forever,” came from behind her, and though she didn’t fully recognize the voice, she’d never forget those words.
Those three words.
They were the three words Emmanuel always said to her—including the night he took her virginity. She told him that she’d planned to share her body with her husband, and he swore that was him… because she deserved forever.
Imagine her surprise when forever turned into one night.
Slowly, Holly turned… refusing to believe what she was seeing.
Fifteen years.
She’d never forget that face.
Her eyes blinked rapidly as she fought back tears.
Every day she wondered how she’d feel if she ever saw Emmanuel again. The relief she thought she’d have was replaced with surprise as her ice cream dropped from her hand.
“Am I fucking crazy?” she muttered to herself more than him. Her hand trembled as it lifted to touch his face. Holly refused to believe he was real. Under her touch, Emmanuel smiled softly. “Are you real?”
Emmanuel nodded softly. “I am.”
Before Holly could stop herself, she was slapping him so hard the sound drew attention their way as she scowled. Snatching her purse off the table, she stormed over to her car as her tears began to fall.
Anger.
That’s what had taken over now.
How dare he say those words to her like they meant anything?
Forever, yeah, she deserved forever alright.
Forever taking care of a child he didn’t even know about because he’d left her when she needed him most.
“Holly,” he called, but she kept walking, hoping he wouldn’t chase after her.
Honestly, she’d let him stop her—let him explain himself—but his reasoning wouldn’t matter. What they’d had all those years ago was over, and there was nothing he could say or do to fix that.
Synopsis:
Arya has a list of everything she wants in a man… cultivated by thoughts of her best friend. After a bad and public breakup, Arya has the opportunity to connect with the man who created the mold for her soulmate in a way she never thought was possible. Agreeing to a fake engagement has them on the cusp of real love. Will Arya surrender to the man with everything on her love list, or will their siblings stand in the way of their happily ever after?
Sample:
Please note, The Influence of Love has been reworked for novella publishing as The Love List. You can read the already published sample here.
Unedited
Arya
Arya’s excitement couldn’t be contained, and after how hard she’d worked for her success, she shouldn’t have to contain it. Out of everyone in her life, Arya most wanted to share the great news with her fiancé, Zion. Though he’d been acting distant lately, he had still been her biggest cheerleader. That was why Arya made her way to his office building to share the good news in person.
Had she called, he probably would have ignored it, which would have irritated her. Besides, some things were best discussed in person… and landing her first six-figure speaking engagement was one. Just thinking about it had Arya’s grin widening as she parked her customized lavender G-Wagon. After looking her caramel toffee colored face over, Arya got out of her car and headed toward the tall office building.
As a self-employed content creator, she was definitely Zion’s opposite. Since childhood, he had his plan for his life mapped out, and a large part of that plan included becoming a lawyer like his father. Their difference in career showed how they balanced each other out. Where Arya went with the flow and dreamed big, Zion had a plan for everything and logically maneuvered through reality.
While riding the elevator up to the eleventh floor, Arya responded to a few emails—the most important one being sent to her social media manager.
At the sound of the elevator dinging, her head lifted, and she dropped her phone into her large, black bucket bag. Stepping off the elevator, Arya turned left and headed down the gray carpet in the direction of Zion’s office. She knocked on his door twice before peeking her head in. Zion’s lips lifted slightly into a small smile as he bobbed his head and motioned for her to come in. After closing the door behind her quietly, Arya made her way over to his dark brown, large desk and sat on the opposite side.
While she waited for him to finish his phone conversation, her eyes scanned the awards and diplomas that lined the wall behind his desk. At thirty-five, Zion was one of the youngest partners at his law firm. Having chosen corporate law instead of criminal, his days were often filled with meetings about mergers more than anything else. Arya may not have found much excitement in his niche of choice, but it seemed to be safe and secure and it paid well, so she had no complaints.
A long sigh escaped Zion as he set his iPhone on his desk. Sitting back in his seat, he looked her face over intently. There was a time he wouldn’t be in her presence without showering her with kisses as he held her close. Now, their affection seemed to be reserved for dates and late nights. Arya often tried to avoid overthinking the change in their relationship, especially since they were newly engaged.
“Hey,” he greeted, sitting up in his seat. “Is everything okay?”
Arya cleared her throat and cupped her hands in her lap. Holding back her smile, she led with, “Everything’s great. I had some good news that I wanted to share with you in person.”
“It couldn’t wait until I got off work?”
Her face twisted in confusion.
“I didn’t think my fiancé would have a problem with me coming to his job to share some great news.” Arya stood, ignoring the sound of her name escaping his lips like a soft plea.
Zion made his way across the room quickly, grabbing her wrist softly to hold her in place.
Shoulders caved, Arya sighed and looked toward the ground, unable to look into his eyes. At this point, she regretted going to see him. Her mood was shifting as much as she didn’t want it to, and what was supposed to be a great time was turning into one filled with irritation. That was one of the things she wished she could change about herself – how overly sensitive and emotional she could be. Highly emotionally intelligent, Arya was able to quickly and logically work her way through what she was feeling… but it was the act of feeling so deeply and being swayed by the words and actions of others that bothered her so damn much.
“I’m sorry, okay?” Zion’s voice, still soft added, “Of course it’s not a problem,” as he lifted her head and her eyes to his. “It’s been a long day and I’m wound a little tight. That’s no excuse for me taking it out on you though.”
Remaining silent, Arya shook her head as he cupped both of her hands in his. “Can we start over, love?” Zion requested, closing the space between them. After placing a kiss to her cheek and lips, he wrapped her in the warmth of his embrace. “Good afternoon, Arya. I’m happy you stopped by.”
As much as Arya wanted to keep from giving in so easily, the longer he held her, the more her ill feelings faded away.
“Good afternoon.” Dropping her arms from his neck, Arya put some space between them. “I’ll just talk to you later.”
When she tried to walk away, he gripped her hand. “I want to hear the good news.”
“I’m not in the mood to talk to you about it anymore, Zion. I was really happy about this, and I don’t want you being overwhelmed at work to ruin it.”
“It won’t, I promise. I’m sure this is what I need to lift my spirit. Why don’t I take my lunch break now and you can tell me all about it?”
Arya nibbled her bottom lip for a few seconds as she thought it over. “Okay.”
The left corner of his mouth lifted into a lazy smile. “Do you have a taste for anything in particular?”
“I was going to go to my usual Italian spot after I left here.”
Zion chuckled with a nod. Once a week, Arya went to the same Italian restaurant to try something new on their menu. It was one of the standing dates she had with herself every week – going to the same restaurant until she had everything they offered.
“I know that’s your you time, so I won’t impose. How about we go for a walk by the river?”
“That works.”
With a nod, Zion went to his desk and called his assistant and receptionist. After letting them both know he was leaving the office for a half hour, they headed out. As happy as Arya wanted to be over the effort Zion was extending, she couldn’t help but think about how different things had been lately. It seemed as if things had been off between them ever since she told him she’d chosen a date to announce their wedding date and show their picture on her social media.
For the entire year and a half length of their relationship, Arya had been very private. Because Zion held their relationship just as sacredly, he liked that she didn’t expect him to have her plastered all on his social media either. Though she’d built her brand on femininity, romanticizing everyday life, love, and relationships… her own relationship was too personal of a thing to share with her followers. However, getting married was big news in her industry—evident by all the brand proposals and possible sponsorships she’d gotten just from announcing the engagement.
The drive from his office to the Mississippi river wasn’t a long one, and it was done in silence. As they began their walk, Zion looked at her until she caved and smiled, then he mirrored it.
“Tell me the good news.”
“You know that new dating site The Single Standard?”
Zion nodded in recollection. “Yeah.”
“Well… they follow me and saw me announce that I would be sharing our picture and wedding date soon and offered me a hundred thousand dollars to speak at their singles seminar on waiting and preparing for the one.”
“One hundred thousand dollars?” Zion clarified, surprise lifting his voice.
Chuckling softly, Arya nodded. “Yes! Can you believe it?”
“That’s amazing, love. I see why you were so excited. Congratulations!”
“Thank you,” she muttered as he brushed her shoulder with his. “This is the most I’ve ever been offered for a partnership, and it’s the first time I’ve ever been asked to speak, so I’m definitely really excited.”
“I’m sure this is just the beginning. You were made for this. I’m happy to be a part of what’s getting you to the next level in your career.”
Seeing that as the opportunity she needed to bring up how things had been lately, Arya looked up and into the sunny sky.
“Are you? Because since we agreed that we would show a picture of ourselves on my social media it seems like you’ve been pulling away. Distant at least. Have you changed your mind about the reveal?”
Zion’s feet stopped. He ran his hand down his wavy hair as he turned slightly in her direction. Doing the same, Arya looked up and into his dark brown eyes.
“Can I be honest with you?”
“Always.”
“I’m not really feeling that no more. Things have been really peaceful between us. This is the first relationship I’ve been in, in years, that I held this sacred, and I think that’s why it feels so good. Why it’s been a success. I don’t want us sharing our love with the world to cause problems. I know you have to share your life with the world on your YouTube channel and shit, but I’ve enjoyed being your secret. I’m not 100 percent sure I’m ready for us to share what we have with the world yet.”
“Why haven’t you said anything, baby?”
His shoulders caved. “I didn’t want you to feel like I was hiding something or trying to stop you from elevating.”
“I wouldn’t think that. You can always talk to me. I’m not in this relationship alone, so it’s not my call to make all decisions concerning us. We’re a team. If you want us to keep our relationship private I will. I can talk about the engagement and wedding without giving dates or showing pictures of us. It’s no big deal.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m positive. I don’t want anything to mess up what we’re building.”
When Zion connected their lips for a passionate kiss, it amplified his words effortlessly. He’d given her no reason to doubt him, and Zion had no problem showing her how much he valued what they had. Sure, things had been a little boring lately, but it wasn’t anything worth worrying about.
“Thank you for being understanding. Let me just think on it, okay? I’ll let you know in a few days.”
Though relieved that Zion had finally opened up to her about what had been bothering him, she was a little bummed that he was changing his mind. Still, she would honor his decision and not post their wedding date and picture if he wasn’t comfortable with it. Her followers would be disappointed, and it was probably going to limit the deals she could take, but it would be worth it. Above all, Arya was willing to do whatever it took to maintain the peace within her relationship. It was worth that.