Book Peddler’s Editing (Editor)
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Sommer Stein (Cover Designer)
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Perfectly Publishable (Interior Design and Formatting)
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First off I want to thank my parents. They’ve done an outstanding job at raising all three of their children. Never truly realizing how hard of a job parenting is until I became one myself, I’m more grateful for the two of you each passing day.
Thank you to my editor, Elizabeth Aguilar at Book Peddler’s Editing. From my cover to my trailer to promoting, you’re there, lending an ear step by step. Also, thank you for picking me up on those bad times, it keeps my fingers typing many days.
To Heather Davenport from Book Plug Promotions. Thank you for always organizing my promotional events with the finesse and organization you always exhibit. Not to mention, being the third vote between Liz and me.
Sommer Stein with Perfect Pear Creative Covers. Thank you for always taking the time you take to make sure every detail of my covers is one hundred percent flawless. Your creativity amazes me more with each cover you design for me.
To my street team. Oh you girls are amazing! Thank you for getting the word out there and sharing your love for me and my books.
All the betas who met Adam and Leah before they make their debut to the world. All of your advice helped Familiar Ground become the book it is, thank you.
To all my loyal fan readers and first time readers. Thank you for picking up my books and hopefully falling in love with my characters as much as me.
As always, my husband and children, because without their tolerance of hours away from their wife and mother, I wouldn’t be able to bring you Familiar Ground. I love you all to pieces.
Love Me Back
Growing up in small-town Belcrest, Maddy Jennings always thought she was destined to be with her childhood sweetheart, Trent Basso. Throughout the complicated road she has traveled with Trent, someone else has had a strong presence in Maddy’s life. Trent’s older brother Gabe has always been someone she could count on, therefore neither of them can be blamed when lines blur from friendship to something more. However, promises made between brothers threaten to ensure that neither of them will have a permanent place in her life.
When Maddy returns to her hometown for her brother’s wedding, she is forced to face both Trent and Gabe for the first time in two years. While the two Basso brothers fight to win her heart, she is busy struggling with a past that won’t seem to let her go. Whether she wants to or not, Maddy must decide to either forfeit her own happiness or forever tear a family apart.
The Invisibles Series
Don’t Let Go
Sadie Miller is attempting to change her ways and hide somewhere no one knows her former self. She only wants to finish her final year of college, obtain her degree, and get out from the hold of her affluent parents. Then she meets Brady Carsen, the lead singer of The Invisibles, a popular local band in the college town. She tries to stay away but quickly realizes that, although he might not be what she’s used to, he’s exactly what she needs and more importantly, everything she could possibly want.
Unfortunately, Sadie’s troubled past left her with insecurities that make her question Brady’s true intentions. And while Brady is convinced that Sadie is the one for him, he has his own secrets that he fears will be their undoing. If they want to be together, they will have to stand united and fight the outside influences that are threatening to tear them apart. Can they put their pasts behind them for good in order to secure their future?
Let Me In
Grant is damaged, selfish, and undeserving of love…or so he thinks.
Jessa is happy, in love, and has overcome her past…or so she thinks.
Grant and Jessa can’t stop thinking about one another since being introduced at a party a month ago. And despite their differences, they can’t seem to stay away from each other either. However, both are hiding secrets of less-than-perfect pasts, fearing what will happen when those mistakes come to light. As they grow closer, they each battle their own insecurities, and neither believes that they are worthy of the kind of love that they both still want. So if it’s true that opposites attract, what happens when the similarities begin to surface?
Let Me Love
A chance encounter. An undeniable connection. An unimaginable twist of fate.
Kailey’s life is crumbling. Her best friend and sister, Jen, is dying, leaving her young family devastated. With little hope of saving her, Kailey is forced to face a reality she never expected.
Trey’s life is fun and carefree. He loves the girls, his drums, and his friends. That’s not to say he isn’t continuously plagued by a difficult decision made years ago—one that changed the course of his life.
Despite the connection they make when their paths unexpectedly cross, Kailey knows her life has no room for anyone else right now. But regardless of how many times she pushes him away, Trey only fights harder to make a place for him in her life and in her heart.
Trey thought he knew heartbreak, but he had no idea until life gave him a second chance, only to snatch it away just as fast. This time he’s determined to keep his place in the life of the ones he loves.
Is there such a thing as fate? If so, can Kailey and Trey hold on to one another long enough to discover there’s no such thing as a chance encounter?
Collaboration
This is not your typical rock star romance. For one, the “rock star” is a rapper. And not just any rapper. Trace is the hottest ticket in the music industry right now, regardless of which definition of ‘hot’ you choose.
Taryn Starr is not the girl-next-door who unknowingly meets a celebrity. Known as “America’s Sweetheart,” the reigning country music princess and world-renowned superstar knows exactly who Trace is…or does she? Their worlds collide when the musicians whose paths were never destined to cross are forced by their joint record label to collaborate on a song. The sparks fly and ignite a fire that blazes hotter with every minute they spend together—for better or worse. One thing’s for certain, the two media magnets can’t deny their explosive chemistry, but will life in the spotlight ultimately bring Trace and Taryn together or force them apart?
Prologue
Two Years Prior
Trish
“Trish, relax. They will love you,” Dylan says as he twines his fingers with mine.
I sigh. “Easy for you to say. I’m the new kid on the block. I can’t help it. How about you tell me everything I need to know about them,” I whine, release his hand to run my hand through my hair, and straighten my skirt for the ten billionth time.
“Let’s start with Jake’s parents, Jack and Patti. Jack’s a retired Marine, we call him Gunny. You already know I went to work for him and Jake after I got out of the Corps. Patti is a saint if you ask me. She’s been shuttling us from grade school to football practice and cooking for us, sometimes enough to feed an army. They have two kids, Tami the oldest and Jake the youngest, he’s my best friend.”
“Jack, Patti, Tami, and Jake, go on. Don’t they have another daughter?” I ask, squinting one eye as I’m trying to remember her name.
“That’s Roxy, their niece, although they consider her their daughter. She’s a spitfire, you’ll love her. She’s funny and crazy. I think she’ll balance you out, precious. Let’s see what else…” He scratches his chin thinking of more info to pass on to me. “Ah, Cody’s my other roommate. He, Jake, and I were childhood friends. All three of us, plus Brian, served in the Corps, and all were members of Marine Recon.” Dylan has that look of regret every time he talks about the Marines. I’m itching to ask him why, but he continues on telling me more about them. “We were together during boot camp, but we were scattere
d when we got our first deployments. They stayed in for four years, but didn’t re-up because of injuries they acquired during their stint in the Corps.”
“So, are they in the reserves like you?” I ask.
“No, after their reserves tenure was up, they didn’t renew it. Cody, Brian, and I just ended up working for Jack and Jake.” Dylan quickly changes the subject, which tells me he’s hiding something from me. “Anyway, tell me what you think of Cody when you meet him. Let me warn you though, he’ll put on his charms so be prepared. I think Brian might also be there.”
I try to remember each of their names. I’m really nervous, because I want to fit in with them for Dylan. We’ve been dating for about five months, and only now have I gotten the nerve to attend a party so he could introduce me to them.
Dylan chuckles. “You’re so adorable when you’re nervous. Stop fidgeting, Trish. When have I been wrong, tell me?” He sneaks a glance at me wearing his signature grin that drives me crazy.
“Fine, are we almost there, yet?”
“Yup, that’s their house.” He points at a huge Spanish style house.
My level of nervousness reaches an all-time high. This family has money, old money it seems. With the size of the house, I’m sure of it. As Dylan opens my door, he notices immediately my state of nervousness.
He reaches for my hand and pulls me toward him. His strong, steady arms envelopes me and appeases me. With one quick deep breath, we walk toward the front door. As Dylan rings the doorbell, I inch behind him, trying to hide myself.
A deep voice greets us. “Hey, son, nice to see you. Did you bring that beautiful girl you can’t stop talking about?” The man with the deep voice asks which makes me even more anxious; I’m a complete basket case.
Dylan laughs and moves to expose me. “She’s right here. Trish, Jack Oliver; Jake’s dad.”
Before my eyes is a hulk of a man with a high and tight haircut, broad shoulders, neck as wide as my leg, and arms that could probably bench press me a hundred times. I extend my hand, but he pulls me to give me a bear hug. Not only does he tower over me, but he engulfs me completely. I feel as if I’m hugging Shaquille O’Neil.
“You’re such a tiny thing. How tall are you?” He asks, releasing me.
“I’m 5 feet, exactly. I would have worn my three inch heels had I known I’d be meeting gigantors,” I blurt out.
Jack laughs, pulls me toward the living room, and out to the patio with his arm around my shoulders. I look behind me to see Dylan smiling at my discomfort. He winks at me and mouths ‘I love you’ which instantly calms my notoriously shaky nerves.
As we near the pool, my eyes gravitate toward the cabana featuring a U-shaped, dark, rattan sectional with white cushions and a fire pit in the middle. Three tall, one blond and two brown haired, guys are standing with their backs facing us. Looking past the guys there are two females sitting, each holding a beer. As soon as we come into view, the girl with long blonde hair smiles at me.
“Oh yea, D’s here!” She runs toward us, hitting one of the guys.
As I watch her run toward us, the guy on the right with short brown hair turns, and as his eyes meet mine, I gasp inwardly because of how handsome and well- built he is. His swim trunks are riding low, and his washboard abs are on full display. I force myself to look away since the intensity of his stare makes me uncomfortable, not in a bad way, but in a toe-tingling-my-panties-will-combust kind of way. You have a boyfriend! Get a hold of your panties! My crazy-self reminds me.
“Hey, Roxy,” Dylan says as he hugs Ms. Excitement while he squeezes my hand.
“Hey to you, too,” Roxy answers as she eyes me, giving me a once over, but in a friendly kind of way.
She walks toward me and embraces me as if we were long lost best friends.
“I’m Roxy, by the way, and what’s your name, Thumbelina?” She giggles, excitement playing in her eyes.
I like her already. Her warm embrace and sweet smile make me feel welcome. She’s not that much taller than me, and maybe not that much older, either. Don’t lie to yourself. You’re like a hobbit amongst these giants. She’s a good 4 inches taller than me…damn everyone is taller than me.
“Hi! I’m Tricia, but everyone calls me, Trish.”
She yanks on my hand, leading me toward the cabana. “Come on; let me introduce you to everyone. I like you, already!
The closer we get to the cabana, the more my relaxed feelings disappear. Dylan appears next to me, and his hand on mine offers a momentary relief from the extreme anxiety that quickly engulfs my body.
“Guys, say hello to Trish,” Roxy says as she snakes her arm around my waist.
“Hello, pint size. I’m Cody. As part of the welcoming committee, you have to kiss me first to get in with us. You know, give me some tongue action,” Cody says as he advances toward me with a predatory look on his face, while I’m sure my face contorts in a way that screams help me, I am being attacked by yet another gigantor.
My clitter activator with hypnotic honey colored eyes hits Cody on the head, while he mutters something I can’t understand. He is not mine! What the hell is wrong with me? The tall woman with brunette hair shoves Cody playfully and extends her hand to me.
“Hi, I’m Tami. Please, excuse him…” she says, pointing at Cody. “He has the manners of a ten year old.”
I offer her a nervous smile. “No worries. I’m Trish. Nice to meet you, Tami.”
Dylan moves behind me and places his arms over my chest as he lightly shoves Roxy, who gives him a scowl complete with foot stomping which makes everyone around us laugh. Cody grabs Roxy, and the other brown haired guy with a swimmer’s body gives her a wet willy, which earns yet another ear piercing scream from Roxy.
“She’s mine, Roxy. Cody, don’t let go of her.” Dylan wiggles his brow at Cody.
I notice Roxy avert her eyes somewhere else, and Cody has a smirk on his face, just short of undressing Roxy. I sense something going on between the two. It’s like water and oil; when put together under fire they sizzle and sparks fly, but when they get used to the temperature, they blend together.
“Jake, come here! I’d like you to meet Trish,” Dylan yells at the guy whose hypnotic-honey-colored eyes give me the tingling feeling that I only get from Dylan. Ho! Your girly parts should only be tingling and honing on Dylan’s presence. My crazy-self reminds me, yet again.
Jake saunters toward us with a swagger and confidence that makes me eye him up and down without blinking.
He gives Dylan a chin nod. “Hey, man. What’s up?”
“Jake, this is my precious Trish. Precious, my best friend Jake.”
As his eyes land on mine, once again, I feel that pull. The pull of his hypnotic gaze luring me in, and capturing my thoughts. Why am I feeling this way? Nope, I’m not going to dwell on this. My kitty is obviously malfunctioning.
Jake
The moment I lay my eyes on her, I know….I know she is my one. Her expressive eyes captivate my own, imprisoning my thoughts. Her angelic face shines like a beacon calling to me, and my heart is helpless to stop it. It answers its call only to be denied, swiftly. I never thought I’d experience the feeling most pussy men feel of ‘their world stopping’ when they see their soul mate, or whatever the hell they call it. My world definitely stopped…it stopped and fucking shattered to pieces since there is no way in hell it would ever happen because she’s taken. Not by just anyone…she’s with my best friend. What does that make me? I’ve been asking myself that since she got here. So, I suck it up and remain quiet, I stay away from her and try to blend in, until Dylan calls me.
“Jake, come here! I’d like you to meet Trish.” Dylan yells. There is no way I can avoid this.
I give Dylan a chin nod. “Hey, man. What’s up?”
“Jake, this is my precious Trish. Honey, my best friend Jake.”
She’s even more breath taking up close. She’s so petite with her long, silky, brown hair and expressive eyes that seem to see through me. Her fla
wless, delicate skin seems to glow against Dylan’s tanned arms, her kissable lips stretch into a magnificent smile that lights up my world and breaks my world, all at the same time.
“Hi, Trish.” I’m dying to hug her, but seeing my best friend’s smiling face full of pride stops me. I extend my hand, regretfully, settling for a hand shake.
Dylan releases her, and as she grabs my hand, the moment her skin touches mine, heat travels from my fingertips straight to my heart and shoots its way fast and hard to my dick. I can’t control myself; I pull her in for a hug. Against all logical reason, and against all odds, four words leave my mouth.
I whisper in her ear. “You are so beautiful.”
She rewards me with yet another heart stopping smile. I can’t look away, even when she does. She’s back in Dylan’s arms, and my heart aches. Brian nudges me and signals for me to go around back. We both excuse ourselves, and for the first time since Trish got here, I’m able to breathe properly.
Brian doesn’t waste time and confronts me right away. Obviously, he wants to nip this in the bud.
“What was that about, Jake?” His accusatory tone puts me in a defensive mode.
“What’s what?” I act as though I don’t know what he’s talking about. Fear slowly works its way up my body, straight to my stupid brain. If Brian noticed, did anyone else?
“Don’t mess with me. I saw the look you gave Trish. Don’t, Jake. Do not cross that line.” His eyes not leaving mine, his tone low interlaced with a warning.
I scrub my face with my hand. “Don’t you think I know? It’s just a stupid crush, alright? I’m sure a good fuck would fix it.”
I start laughing, while looking at Brian. I need to deflect this situation ASAP.
Familiar Ground Page 28