Arms of Serenity by Donina Lynn
Rock
Services, Book One
Thank
you so much for having me on your blog today! I’m very excited to be here and
to be sharing my debut novel Arms of
Serenity.
When I
first sat down to think about what I wanted to write, the one thing I knew I
wanted to incorporate was a message. That being that the events of the past
shouldn’t dictate how we live our lives in the future. We should learn from our experiences and look
to the future as an opportunity for a new beginning. Simple, right? But when we
are unable to move beyond those events and they threaten to determine who we
are today, is it ever that easy to forget and find the peace within ourselves
to allow happiness into our lives? Life and especially love are never that
simple.
In Arms of Serenity, you meet Nick and
Becca. Both are emotionally damaged and in desperate need of someone to show
them how to let go of their pasts and that love is possible as long as they are
willing to let it in. Their story is full of inner struggles, laughs, romance and
even a smidgen of danger. Doesn’t every good love story need at least one or
two bad guys? J
Blurb:
Plagued
by guilt, Nicholas Hollsten ended his military career in the Special Forces and
returned home only to be forced into a life he never wanted. Nick found himself
running his father’s company and making good on a promise to his team. Angry
and frustrated with the direction his life was taking, he calms his thoughts by
filling his evenings and bed with soft distractions. Until one woman captures
his interest.
Rebecca
Klayton thought she was happy in her small town, running her bakery and
avoiding love. That emotion only meant heartache and being left exactly where
you started—alone. Lesson learned. But, when the sexy stranger from their hot
New Year’s Eve party shows up at her counter, will she be able to ignore the
temptation or will she find what she’s been missing in the Arms of Serenity?
Excerpt:
Becca
got as far as the curve outside before she heard Nick’s voice calling her name.
She closed her eyes and groaned.
Almost made it.
Why was
he following her? Couldn’t he just leave her alone? She held up her hand to
signal a taxi and hoped ignoring him would work until one stopped.
Becca
heard him say her name again. Only this time he was too close to pretend that
she didn’t hear him. She turned to find him holding the picture frame.
“You
forgot this.”
He just
wanted to give her the frame. She sighed in relief and reached to take it from
him.
“Thank
you.”
He
looked at her and put a smug smile on before saying, “You forgot these also.”
He reached into his pant pocket and pulled out a glimpse of white lace
material.
Becca
gasped when she realized it was her forgotten panties. She got closer to put
her hand out.
“Thank
you for finding them.”
Nick
pushed them back in his pocket. “How about that coffee?”
Becca
took a step back and crossed her arms. “Are you seriously holding my underwear
hostage until I go out on a date with you? Doesn’t that border on blackmail?”
Nick
laughed. “Just using whatever means I have at my disposal to get you to say
yes.”
Becca
would laugh too if she wasn’t so angry. He was being an arrogant pushy ass. She
glared at him. From his polished shoes, tailored pants, and what looked like a
cashmere sweater, he was head to toe everything that Becca wasn’t. Why was he
doing this? Damn him for coming after her. Damn him for wanting more when he
could go back into the ballroom and have anyone of those models sitting at the
table.
“You’re
not my type.” She turned away from him and once again put her hand up in the
air.
She
stood there not wanting to look back. He hadn’t answered her, and Becca
silently hoped that he had walked away. She was a mess. Her insides trembled at
the conflicting emotions of anger and longing coursing through her. It would be
so easy to give in and go with him.
Becca
felt a hand brush against her neck and his voice against her ear.
“I’m
going to have to argue that statement. I seem to remember being exactly your
type last night as you shook and screamed in pleasure when I was buried deep
inside of you.” He kissed the spot behind her ear, and she gasped in response.
Shivers cascaded through her, and she leaned back melting into his body.
Becca
cursed herself.
Dammit, Becca get some control!
He’s just a rich guy who thinks he can get anything he wants.
Becca
pulled away and turned around to face him as a taxi finally came to her rescue.
Opening the door, she stood behind it to use as a barrier between them and took
a breath to steady her trembling legs and gain some courage.
“Nick,
last night was great, and thank you for not saying anything back in there.” She
nodded her head in the direction of the hotel and continued. “But I’m just not
interested.” She got in the cab, closed the door, and stared ahead as she gave
the driver her destination. As the taxi pulled away, she could see him in the
rearview mirror. For the second time in less than twenty-four hours, she left
him just standing and staring after her.
Available at:
Evernight
Publishing: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/arms-of-serenity-by-donina-lynn/
Author Bio:
Hi! I
live in a small rural Pennsylvania town on the outskirts of the Poconos. As in
small, I mean we don't even have a traffic light. We do, however, have a DG, a
pizzeria and a Chinese restaurant. Thank goodness! Because, I would probably
starve without takeout and a microwave. Cooking is something I enjoy during the
holidays and for special occasions. But on a normal day, I take full advantage
of a supermarket's frozen section.
Even
though I was born and raised a country girl, my idea of communing with nature
is gazing out my window while guzzling mass quantities of coffee. Next to the
microwave, my Keurig is my prized possession. Seriously, the inventors of that
gadget deserve an award and are personal heroes of mine.
When I'm
not at my day job, hanging with my family or friends, curled up with my Kindle,
or typing away at the computer, you can find me in front of the TV watching
anything paranormal, sci-fi or a good action flick. Kudos go to any movie or
show that incorporates explosions, big guns, and gratuitous butt shots.
My
addiction to romance novels started as soon as I could turn a page and has
stayed with me until much later in life when I decided to sit down and give
writing one a whirl. Who knew that decision would have brought me here? I am
extremely grateful it has and hope you enjoy reading about the characters that
have taken up residence in my head. There is a bit of a warning, however. I
have a fondness - bordering on obsession - with the military, public service,
bad boys, and men with bald heads, goatees or tattoos. Heroes with one or many of these traits might
be a reoccurring theme until I can work through these issues. :-)
You can
find me at:
