Hi Everyone,
My name is Jennifer. I’m a thirty something
mother of three and my escape from my busy life is my love of reading and
writing. I’m sure most, if not all of you can relate to this. J
I began
writing at a really young age, stopped for a few years and then picked it back
up again after my third child and only daughter was born. I’ve been
professionally published since 2011, and although I normally write in the
romance genre for ages 18+ I’ve recently published my first NA contemporary
romance novel through Limitless Publishing, and I’m loving it.
It’s a pleasure to meet you all.
Today I’ve decided to talk about first loves.
When I was younger I probably thought I was in love with every boyfriend I had
at the time. *Sigh* to be young and naïve again. J
But, truthfully they were mere crushes, and not
even a fraction of what I felt for them even compares to how I feel about my
husband. Yeah, I know right? So cliché. The first time I fell in love truly was
with the man I am now married too.
I was instantly attracted to him, and I know he
felt the same, but I was also weary. I’d just gotten out of a bad relationship
and I had a lot of personal issues to sort out so I tried to fight it because I
was in such a bad place at the time. But, just when your aren’t looking for
something it shows up whether you want it too or not, right?
My husband was persistent, and I obviously
caved eventually. He was unlike anyone I’d ever met. So sweet, and supportive,
good looking, had a good family, which I was lacking at the time, and he stuck
by me when so many others didn’t. I’m not sure what it is he saw in me at the
time, but I guess underneath all of that messed up he saw the good in me trying
to fight for a better life. He helped pave my way.
When we met in 1995 we were both still
teenagers. He stopped by the first time on a day I wasn’t feeling well and had
just gotten up from a nap. I looked horrible, literally. My hair was tangled,
make-up smeared, and I probably had dry drool stuck to my face, and there he
was all 5’9 inches of him, dark haired, brown eyed, muscular hotness standing
there by the door talking to my foster dad. Naturally I tried to make an escape
back into my room but got busted and was called over to be introduced.
Just my luck, why is it when you look good
there is nobody around, but the moment you look your worst you see everyone and
anyone? LOL
Anyway, from there everyone we mutually knew
tried setting us up, but I wasn’t ready and we started out as friends. A few
months later, a lot of time spent hanging out, and several romantic gestures on
his behalf and I was toast. The love bug had bit me hard and we’ve been
together ever since. It’s now been 20 years total, with 10 years of marriage,
three beautiful kids later, and still going strong…
How did it happen for all of you?
In my latest novel,
Broken Survivor I can relate to my main character Holly and her struggles with
love and the hardships in her life because it’s based on true events. Now
please note I said it was based on true events, not a true story. There is a
difference and I’ll try to explain. The murder actually happened the way it was
stated in the book, and I can relate to Holly as I too had an abusive father,
had struggles getting over the death of my mother, and going through foster
care etc. but not all of the plot is fact, there is fiction in there as well,
hence the ‘true events’ wording. This
book was very healing for me to write, as I got to say my final goodbye to my
own mother through it. But, I also love the happily ever after ending and the
amazing romance that develops between Holly and Zander throughout the novel as
well, so I hope you all enjoy this little teaser below.
Enjoy!
BLURB:
Holly
Hewitt is a survivor…
After witnessing her mother’s murder, Holly was returned to her
abusive father. Resorting to drugs and alcohol, she ends up landing herself in
foster care, where she is separated from her sister and utterly alone.
Zander
Harrison is the light to her darkness…
Zander is young, athletic, and carefree, with the support of a
loving family. But when Holly is placed in foster care with his brother’s
in-laws, she turns his world upside down.
He’s driven to protect her, and to show her the past has made
her strong, life is worth living, and love is worth fighting for. If only he
can convince her to trust him and stop resisting their mutual attraction.
But
sometimes even love isn’t enough to heal a shattered soul.
And all
the hard work in the world can’t save…
A
broken survivor.
EXCERPT:
Pink and orange hues filled the sky with
a warm beauty while the sun set. Holly wrapped her arms around herself and
lifted her face toward the sky to soak in the last few moments of the sun
before the chill of the night descended upon them. This was definitely not
going to be an easy talk to get through. She just hoped they’d both be okay when
it was done. Zander stepped up behind
her, and she felt the heat of his body before he wrapped his arms around her
from behind. The way she was drawn to him made her wonder if he had a magnetic
pull, and it kind of scared her a little bit. Holly tried to enjoy the view as
they were silent for a few moments.
“As much as I hate to let go, I think
maybe we should sit so we can finally talk,” Zander said.
She hesitated a moment before taking his hand
while they walked back to his house and sat beside each other on the patio. This is it.
“First, I want to clear up earlier,”
Zander said. “She was just a friend, nothing more. She has only ever been a
friend.” He lifted their linked hands and kissed the top of hers.
“This isn’t any of my business, but does
she realize that? I got the impression there was much more than a friendship
there.” Holly held her breath and didn’t exhale until after he answered her.
“Not for a really long time, and we were
never a couple.” His posture slumped. “Before today, I hadn’t heard from her in
months. She just showed up out of the blue, but I swear nothing happened.”
“Why are you telling me this?” Holly
shifted to face him. “So you and she were friends with benefits a while ago. I
have to admit I didn’t like seeing you with her, but I don’t have any right to
be mad. We’re taking things slow, remember?”
“That’s just the thing. I want to be
with you, Hol. As in, I’d be staking my claim. You’d be my girlfriend,
exclusive.”
“I’m actually kind of glad you said
that. I’ve recently figured out that I’m not made for casual.” She bit her lip
nervously. “I don’t even care about your friend anymore because I sort of have
some huge news, which throws going slow out the window anyway. That is, if you
don’t freak out and feel like you want nothing to do with me after this.”
“Okay, now you’re making me nervous,” he
joked nervously and playfully nudged her with his shoulder. “What’s up?”
“You probably should be.” Holly smiled
weakly and then exhaled long and hard. “I didn’t want a relationship when you
came into the picture, and I didn’t want to care for someone so much. But then
there you were all sweet, caring, and persistent and screwed up my original
plans. So let’s get that out there.” She smiled and leaned into him. Her head
lay on his shoulder and she looked up at him needing to be close. “That’s the
best part by the way because I’m glad I’ve let you in. I care for you a lot.
I’ve messed up, though. We both have. Do you remember the night at my
sister’s?”
“How could I forget?” His eyes lit up
and she snorted.
“It was a good night, huh?” She licked
her lips just thinking about it. “Well, I haven’t been feeling like myself
lately, so Lauren decided to take me to get a checkup…”
“O-okay, you were sick and…?” Zander’s
brows scrunched together in confusion, but as if he sensed her discomfort, he
gave her a quick reprieve to pull herself together before she had to spit out
the big news. He captured her mouth. His soft, plump lips caressed hers, then
he moved to nip and suck on her bottom lip. His tongue coaxed her mouth open
farther, and she tasted his mutual arousal as he probed the slit of her mouth
with his tongue. One of her hands fisted in his shirt and held him closer,
while the other massaged his nape and into his hair. They both moaned in the
heat of the moment, and she could feel his chest rise and fall more rapidly
before he pulled away.
“God, I’ve missed this,” he said. “You
get sick again and I’m coming over with some chicken soup and taking care of
you.
“That sounds amazing.” She smirked.
“I’ve missed you too.” Holly shifted so that she was facing him now and rested
her forehead against his while they caught their breath.
“Don’t go home yet. Call Lauren and
let’s recreate that night.” He wiggled his eyebrows up and down.
“You are such a goofball. As tempting as
that sounds, I need to finish what I was saying before you distract me too
much.” She gave him a quick peck on the lips and leaned back.
“But the distraction is so good. I can’t
help myself.” He lifted a sexy, dark eyebrow in question. “Can we fool around a
bit while you talk? I’m a great multitasker.”
“I’ll tell you what, if after I tell you
everything I need to, you still want to fool around or more, then yes, we’ll go
inside your place and I’ll make it worth your while.” She wiggled her brows
back at him and smiled as she caressed the side of his face. I just hope I don’t ruin things first.
“Deal.”
“Lauren might not be too happy if she
finds out the truth.”
“Really?” He looked at her in shock. “I
find that hard to believe after her and Shelby practically pushed us together.”
He smiled and kissed the back of her hand. “Remind me to thank them for that
one day.”
“I really hope you still feel that way after
you hear what I have to say.”
“Quit stalling and just tell me
already.”
“So you know I haven’t been feeling well
lately, but what you don’t know is why she’s been on my case. She had some
concerns that drove her to take me to the doctor in the first place.” She
leaned way back in her chair and closed her eyes.
“Is she still hung up about the new
apartment?”
“In a way, I guess, but right now what’s
bothering her is her assumption that I might be pregnant.” She peeked in his
direction to gauge his reaction.
He stiffened a bit on the seat next to
her and sat straighter. “Wait, what?”
Buy Links:
Limitless Publishing: http://www.limitlesspublishing.net/product/broken-survivor/
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/broken-survivor-jennifer-labelle/1121951903?ean=9781680581409
Author Bio:
Jennifer Labelle resides in Canada with her husband
and three beautiful children. After her third child she became a stay at
home mom. In her busy household Jennifer likes to spend her down time
engrossed in the stories that she creates. She is an active
reader of romance, mystery and anything paranormal. With an
education in Addictions work she's decided to take a less stressful approach in
life and hopes that you enjoy, as she shares some of her imagination
with all of you.
Author Links:
Website: http://www.jenniferlabelle.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/1JenniferLabell
Amazon
Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Jennifer-Labelle/e/B0058ALAWY/
Best wishes,
Jennifer
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