Official Launch Blitz of Clarissa Wild's FLAME!

Title: FLAME (#2, Fierce Series)

Author: Clarissa Wild

Publication Date: May 8th 2014

Genre: New Adult Romance (18+)

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21491054-flame

Synopsis

When trust is challenged and desire takes control, is love enough to conquer fear?

When geeky book nerd Autumn Blakewood falls for the cocky, confident fighter Hunter Bane she knows she’s in for life. Their undeniable connection, fueled by the desire to protect, grows stronger every passing second. However, the need to feel cherished threatens her college graduation, family bonds, and future, tearing her apart, but she won’t give up on Hunter so easily …

After he was abandoned by his family, Hunter Bane struggles to cope with daily life. Having a learning disability turns every task into a challenge. With his brother now free, Hunter feels the pressure to succeed and take care of the people he loves, forcing him to choose between college and a job. Hunter’s devotion to Autumn keeps him on the right path. His infatuation with her turns lust into passion, drawing out his alpha tendencies. But with affection comes admission, putting a strain on their relationship as secrets are exposed and unforeseen circumstances spiral out of control.

Being complete opposites, their love is flaming hot, but it burns away all inhibitions, unveiling the fears that were locked deep inside. As past and present collide, difficult choices must be made. Can Autumn and Hunter’s love survive this ultimate test?

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Excerpt

I can’t take my lips off her. I need her so much right now. I’m starving for her lips. I can’t catch my breath, but I can’t stop either. I need her to feel how much I love her, need her to know how much I need her and that everything I said was a fucking lie. It was all the fear of not being able to live up to her expectations, the horror of disappointing her. I pushed her away instead of talking to her. If only I’d told her before why I was doing this, to help her mom out, then maybe this would’ve never happened.

But fuck, I am happy she’s here and that she’s all right. She’s here in my arms and I’m not letting her go. Never again.

I’m such a fucking mess, and still she loves me. I have no fucking clue why, but that’s why I love her. She loves me completely, unconditionally, so much that she can’t stand the thought of me even having the slightest scratch on me. I know I’m a bastard for earning money with fighting, but it’s the only thing I can do, and I’ll make sure I’ll be damn good at it. If she can’t see me get hurt, then I won’t let myself get hurt. I’ll make sure it never happens. I’ll train and fight until I can knockout everyone in my path with her watching me, smiling, proud.

I want to be her winner.

Smelling her, I take in her scent in with eagerness, wanting her so close, holding her isn’t even enough anymore. My fingers slide down her neck to her spine and down to her waist as I turn her around, still kissing her. I’m slowly taking her back to the car, not taking my lips off her. Entangling her fingers through my hair, she lets me push her backward until we reach the hood of the car. I’ve not been the best at finding directions when I have my fucking eyes closed. Kissing her is more important than seeing where I’m going.

She bumps against the hood, and I put my arms around her, making sure she can’t slip away. I’m not letting her out of my sight. Not anymore. Her plump, pink lips are so luscious … so soothing … so volatile for me. They turn me into something I shouldn’t be right now, but I can’t help myself.

Planting my hands on the hood, I trap her inside my arms and ravish her mouth. I can’t get enough of her, can’t get enough of her sweetness, her passion, her spark, her flame. I need her love right now.

“God … I want you so much right now, I can’t stop,” I murmur against her mouth, nipping at her lips, catching them with my teeth.

“I want you too. Don’t stop,” she whispers, and then she drags me closer by my shirt.

“Hmm …” I moan into her mouth, but then take my lips off her again. If I don’t stop now, I’ll turn into that beast again. I know, because I’ve been there before. She does that to me. Especially now, because I haven’t seen her for a while, and now that I’ve finally got my hands on her I’m not sure I can hold back. I don’t even want to, but I’m forcing myself to stop. It’s not right to take it further now. Not after what we just went through.

“We’re soaked,” I say.

“Yeah …” The way she says it sends shivers down my spine. It’s like she’s saying she’s ‘wet’ in a whole different way. Exhilarating.

“No, I mean, we should get back to the car.”

She shakes her head, pulling me in for another kiss, but I barely escape.

“I can’t control myself,” I say.

“You don’t need to.” She leans forward and pulls down my shirt, exposing my collarbone. When she starts pecking my skin, I’m done for.

Groaning, I say, “You don’t know what you’re in for.”

“Yes, I do. We’ve had sex before.”

“Not on a fucking car, on a road, in the rain.”

“I don’t care,” she whispers, wrapping her arms around my waist and pulling me closer. My cock springs alive from her tug. She’s never been this needy. This willing. It’s like she wants me to fuck her.

“I need to feel your lips on me. I need you. I need you everywhere. Inside me,” she whispers close to my ear. Fuck. She’s undoing me with her words. Now I’m hard as fuck.

It feels so fucking wrong after a fight, but so very tempting at the same time. My desire to take her has been multiplied by ten since we argued, as if my inner caveman knows that in order to fix love you need to fill each other up with love. Or in other words, fill her up to the brim.

My cock is throbbing in my pants at the thought of having her right now. I can’t think of anything else; it’s like my mind is only focused on one thing now, which is claiming her.

Ah, screw my conscious. “Fuck it …” I murmur, and then I dive into the little nook between her neck and shoulder and kiss her until my lips are raw and swollen.

I push her up against the car, and the lift her up, setting her down on the car. Parting her legs, I step closer and suck the beads of water off her skin. With my tongue I slip down her neck, licking up all the raindrops until I reach her tits. Her hands drop back onto the hood when I grasp both her perky tits in my hands and kiss the swell, going from one to the other.

“God, you’ve never tasted this good before.”

She giggles, which only gives me more incentive to seize her body and make it mine.

My fingers travel down her stomach while I keep my lips on her collarbone, teasing her as I slide lower and lower, avoiding her pleasure spot. I know she wants it, but I want her to savor that feeling for a while. I want her to realize what she’d be missing if I wasn’t there to please her anymore. And I want to enjoy myself while doing it.

I curl my fingers around her shirt and rip it over her head, surprising her. “You scared someone’s gonna find us here?” I tease, throwing the shirt on the hood of the car.

She squints, a smirk appearing on her face. “No.”

I purse my lips and raise an eyebrow. “Not even a little bit?”

Little moans escape her mouth as I massage her tits. She can’t speak, but shakes her head instead.

Hmm … I wonder how far she’ll go. I want to know if I can push her boundaries. It’s too exciting not to try. So I slide my fingers down her shoulder, pushing her bra down, and then in one surprise move I flip her tits out of her holsters.

She gasps as I immediately lock my mouth over her rosy nipples.

“Oh, Hunter …” she moans as I flick my tongue over her hardened peaks.

“What? You backing down yet?” I tease.

“No. Definitely not. Oh my god …” she murmurs.

“Hmm… I like that.” I grin against her skin as I lick her tits until they are nice and perky. My hand drifts down to her pussy and I splay my fingers, grasping her possessively. “Mine.”

Flame Playlist

Music plays a big part in my writing. For FLAME I used a whole lot of new songs, but you might find a few that are familiar to you from FIERCE/FURY ;) Check them out!

You can check them out below with Spotify, or listen to them here with Youtube:

Other books in the Fierce Series

Buy Links for  #0.5 FIGHT (Free!)

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Buy Links for  #1 FIERCE

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Buy Links for #1.5 FURY

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Author Bio

Clarissa Wild is the Amazon Bestselling Romance author of FIERCE, a top 200 and top 15 New Adult Romance novel. She is also a writer of erotic romance such as the Blissful Series, The Billionaire's Bet series, the Doing It Series and the Enflamed Series. She is an avid reader and writer of sexy stories about hot men and feisty women. Her other loves include her furry cat friend and learning about different cultures. In her free time she enjoys watching all sorts of movies, reading tons of books and cooking her favorite meals.

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Author Links

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Giveaway

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REVIEW: Fierce Series (Fierce, #1, Fury, #1.5, Flame, #2), by Clarissa Wild

I'm reviewing all three of the current novels in the Fierce series by Clarissa Wild. I read the first two on my own and then received the ARC (advanced readers copy) from the author in exchange for an honest review. After reading Fierce, I decided I wanted to participate in Clarissa's Blog Tour and promotion for Book #2, Flame. So, to simplify things here at the blog, I'm reviewing all three books in succession. I'm trying to avoid spoilers, so no worries. Oh! And for the sake of the blog itself, I'm using my 10-star ratings, but for the other review sites, I'm working within their rating systems, so if you see a repost somewhere, that's what you'll see as different.

Fierce (Fierce, #1)

This initial entry in the Fierce series is told from nerd-girl Autumn's POV.  Autumn is a likeable character. I found her internal struggle to be compelling - the sheltered, bullied girl who wants desperately to fit in but just...can't. Her first day of college, she encounters a Bad Boy in Hunter Bane. For some reason, he keeps engaging her. Though she doesn't understand it, she can't stay away from him, even though her past experience with bullying dictates that she should want to do so. The fact that she pushed her own boundaries to befriend Hunter when he seemed to need it most showed a depth to her character that was unexpected. That she also found herself wanting more from this enigma of a young man confounded Autumn and created adequate internal conflict, which would easily have driven the narrative enough for me to award 3 stars with nothing else going for it. But what set this story apart, what drives it to a 9-star (4.5-star) from me, was that the external conflict alone would have made for a thrilling read. I won't spoil you, but there are elements of suspense in this story that will have you at the edge of your seat at times.

I'll warn you, this is a very typical New Adult read. Personally, I like New Adult and don't mind some angst or a lot of sex, provided I've been given characters I like. In this case, I got what I wanted and then some. If you read nothing else of this series, read Fierce. You'll fall in love with Bad Boy Hunter Bane, just as Autumn does, swooning when he calls her Leafy and cheering at the end. But this story doesn't end with this book, so keep reading. You'll be glad you did.

Fury (Fierce, #1.5)

I've noticed that New Adult authors gravitate toward the two-part story. If you've read a lot of NA, you know what I mean. This is where you hear a story from one character and then hear it from another, but not in the same book - two separate stories, told from two separate POV, but the same plot. I get why it happens - I wrote a blog post about it not that long ago. And, as I said in that post, many times I've read the second story and thought, "Why did you write two separate books?"  That's not the case with Fury.

Hunter's story is quite complex on its own. There is so much of it that Autumn does not know about, things that are very pertinent to the narrative. I could tell you, but that would change your enjoyment as you discover them on your own. If I was writing this story, I'd have integrated the two POVs because I think that it's possible to do so. BUT - and here's where I can make exceptions - this book and its predecessor are told in First Person. I don't typically write in first person and there are many reasons for that. One is that you have a harder time selling to the reader that they know things the characters do not. And for that reason, I think we can justify a second story from Hunter's POV told separately from the first book.

Personally, I loved Hunter more when he was seen through Autumn's eyes. Perhaps it was his self-loathing, or maybe his arrogance, but I had a hard time feeling the same level of worship toward him that I did in Fierce. Nonetheless, I still liked him by the end of the story and I felt genuine empathy for him. I can see why the choice was made to tell the stories separately. What I'd like to see is a story that weaves these two books together into the same narrative. I wonder how it might read differently. An 8-star (4-star) rating from me.

Flame (Fierce, #2)

I received this book for an honest review. On the 5-star rating systems, it gets 4 stars from me. On my blog rating, which uses 10-star ratings, it gets 7.5 stars. I'm rounding up because I think that this was an excellent conclusion to Hunter and Leafy's story and I want to recognize that. But there were some issues that made this my least-favorite entry in the series.

First, my annoyance at some of Hunter's attitude in Fury carried over to Flame and multiplied. When he was 100% in protect-Autumn/rescue Jessie mode, he was under a lot of stress and I guess I forgave his behavior more. But here, the worst is over and his attitude is all because of his insecurities and his inability to deal well with his past. Okay. I get it. He's damaged. It was hard to feel sorry for him when he was a HUGE jerk to Autumn more than once. I won't spoil it by saying why, but there were several moments early in the story where I wanted to slap him. For her part, Autumn experiences even more growth than we saw from her in Fierce, so I can't complain about her story too much.

Second, there are a few things in this series that stretch believeability for me - things that are maybe not impossible but are highly improbable - but though they're not enough to make me dislike the story, they are also more obvious once we get to this segment. The narrative moves slower and is more character-driven, so perhaps that's why the improbability becomes more evident. When you're blazing through action, you notice less flaws - sort of like flying through on a bullet train compared to a slower locomotive. The faster you move, the less you can see of the weird stuff on the side of the tracks. Where Fierce and Fury were more like a bullet train, Flame was like long-distance commuter train. It still moved, but I could see more as I passed.

That said, there was one thing that absolutely redeemed the story for me by the end and bumped up its rating, and it was the fact that both characters grew. I don't mind the rougher characters, the ones who are not perfect book boyfriends, as long as they grow. Likewise, the stereotypical heroines have to stretch, too. Here, I loved that geeky Autumn embraced her sexuality and Hunter tempered his sexual beast and they were able to meet in the middle. That's a good metaphor for the emotional changes they undergo as individuals and as a couple. He gave her the love she needed and found that he was stronger than he believed, and she grew to love herself through his eyes. And as I always say, give me characters I can stand behind, and I can overlook a lot of other issues.

Clarissa has said that there may be other stories in the future for Jessie or maybe Jaret, but for now, this is the end of the Fierce Series, and I'd guess, given the ending, that it's probably the end of Hunter and Leafy's story told from their POVs. It was a nice conclusion to the series, and I'd recommend that you sit down and read them in sequence. You'll be rewarded with a lovely ending.

I'm humbled and truly honored...

I'm part of a group on Facebook where authors can seek reviewers for their work. You see, the more people talk about your books, the more likely it is that people will talk about your books. I know. Crazy, right? An author friend, DJ Shaw (whose Wiccan Lies cover I revealed here recently), introduced me to this group and of course, there are many authors in there, too. It's where I met Rene Folsom (whose fantastic erotic short stories set, Roommate Romance, I've read and reviewed - they're excellent!) and where I met the lovely Ella Medler.

Ella recently read and reviewed Back to December, and I wanted to share a link to her review. It made me cry (okay, I'm a huge sap) and it truly humbled me. As an author, to have even one reader truly get your story is such a blessing. Thank you, Ella! I'm thrilled that you loved my book that much! And I promise, when I get through the insanity that is this weekend, you're on my short list!

REVIEW: Brenda Rothert's EDGE (Fire on Ice, #3)

A full 10 stars! Fantastic from the first page to the last! Plus, I can leave a longer review here, too. You'll see a lot more reviews on here from me in the future.

Okay, first of all, I have to say that I'm thrilled to have received an advanced copy of this book for review. I love Brenda's writing and I would gladly pay for it, but I was beyond excited to read this book early. From the moment I started Bound (Fire on Ice, #1), I was hooked on this series.

What can I say? I love hockey. I mean, I went to a hockey school, not because of the hockey, but let me tell you how fantastic it was to have been a freshman when my team took the NCAA National Championship. Yeah, I've loved hockey since childhood, had a Boston Bruins sweatshirt at the age of three, learned to skate by five and took full advantage of free skate times at my college rink. I own a pair of hockey skates and the only reason I don't play is because it was too late in the game for me to jump on board when my school's women's team took off (and my husband, rightly so, has pointed out that I'm not in the right shape to start now!) I spent hours drooling over hockey players in high school and thought it was the coolest thing ever to know the players on my school's team.

Of course, after a year of the giddy crap in college (but without becoming a puck slut!), I grew up a little. Realized they're people (and some of them are jerks). But when I read this series, it takes me back to those days, a time in my life that I cherish and never grow tired of reliving. The star of this book, Luke, reminds me of some of the best guys I knew who played hockey in college. I told Brenda that he reminded me of someone specific before this book was complete, but now that I've read the whole thing, I'd say he definitely brings several people to mind.

In this story, Luke Hudson, best friend and teammate to Bound and Captive's Jason Ryker, has taken a bad hit to the knee. He's been injured and has to follow the slow route to get back into fighting shape. His big motivator? Take down the player (on the ice, of course) who injured him, John London. He spends a couple months in physical therapy, and then gets shipped to rehab at a minor league team. There, he meets Adella Price, the team's trainer. He's instantly smitten with her and though she has basically sworn off hockey players (with good reason), she can't help but return the interest. Only problem? The team has a no-fraternization policy.

Luke was one of those guys who couldn't settle down. He was a playboy of the worst variety, some of which we glimpse vaguely in Bound and Captive, through Ryke's eyes. He laughed at Ryke's desperate need for his wife in the early days when his friend was courting - but not sleeping with - Kate. But here, he finds himself not only coveting what Ryke and Kate have (a first for him), but mimicking Ryke's behavior. Of course, Ryke's reasons for staying away from Kate were more complex than a fraternization policy, but there is more at stake for Luke and Dell than just emotions - it could cost both of them their jobs. That's an even bigger deal for Dell, because she has son, five-year-old Kyler, to consider. And since her role as a loving, doting, devoted mother is one of the things Luke respects and appreciates most about Dell, he wants to go the extra mile to ensure she doesn't lose her job. He might get kicked off the minors team, but his team owner in the NHL would have his back.

I won't spoil it for you. You learn all this in the first chapter or two, and it sets the stage for the story. But there is a lot more going on here, things that bear on Luke and Dell in ways that even Ryke and Kate (and other players) don't have to worry about. It made for some nail-biting moments.

The pace of the story is excellent. Despite a very, very full plate at the moment, I couldn't put it down. I knew, once I started, I wouldn't want to stop reading it, and I was right! If you love sports stories (especially hockey), you will devour this - you will feel as if you're right there, on the ice, in the locker room, at the game with the team. And if you just love a feel-good, steaming-hot romance, regardless of the subject matter, you will want to read this right away! But be warned...cold showers, a fan, or some time alone later might be necessary!

If you haven't read Brenda's books yet, but you like mine, I know you'd love hers. We are kindred storytelling spirits. If you've read her NOW series but not FIRE ON ICE, you must rush to read Bound and Captive so that you can read Edge! Yes, it's technically readable as a standalone. But part of the joy in the story is getting to visit with Ryke and Kate again. And if you've read the first two books in FIRE ON ICE, then you will want to read this immediately. I loved Emma and Cole, Layla and Ben, and Ryke and Kate, but damn, Luke and Dell might put them all to shame! Fantastic story and I can't wait for Brenda to write one for Niko...you're going to write one for Niko, right?

COVER REVEAL for Leigh Hutton's REV GIRL!

It's here! The cover for my Aussie friend Leigh Hutton's first book, REV GIRL! Leigh is a motorcross girl, so you know this book is going to feel 100% real. I'm very excited for her and I can't wait to read the book! The book drops May 24, and Leigh is partnering with MAKE A WISH in Australia to donate a portion of sales to help make wishes come true for seriously ill kids. Since I have a nephew with Leukemia, I think that's pretty damn fantastic. Give Leigh some love and help some great kids at the same time! Here's a link to her page, so that you can snag the paperback version: http://www.leighhuttonbooks.com/

(And, Leigh, I want those shoes!)

GIVEAWAY for the launch of Clarissa Wild's FLAME!

I'm part of another giveaway, this time with Clarissa Wild for the launch of her next book, Flame (Fierce, #2). Lovely pic of the cover included, with the Rafflecopter at the bottom. Along with a bunch of other prizes available, I'm giving away a copy of Right Here Waiting (Ward Sisters Series, #3)!

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Cover Reveal: THIS YEAR'S LOVE, Ward Sisters Series, #4

I didn't reveal the cover for This Year's Love over here because I wanted to keep the Meghan Miles' Mother's Day Giveaway as the top post on my blog for the duration of its run. That ended last night, winners have been notified, so I decided now was the time to post the cover over here. Without further ado, here's the cover for This Year's Love, Book 4 in the Ward Sisters Series.

So, there you have it! Josh and Annie's story will be coming soon - if I can get it out to beta readers in the next week or so, we might actually be able to push it ahead of my current planned release date of June 20th. Soon enough, I'll reveal my cover for Buying the Cow. Yep, I'm sticking with that title. I've yet to find another that I think tells the story in a few short words (which is what I like my titles to do). But I found a great image today of a girl I think speaks to who I see as Reggie Reynolds, and given how much of a challenge the cover concept was for the story - with two main characters who are NOT going to be found in a photo together that isn't staged for that purpose - I'm not looking a gift horse in the mouth. Be on the lookout!

Meghan Miles' Mother's Day GIVEAWAY!

It's finally here! I can't remember if I mentioned it before, but I'm doing a rafflecopter giveaway with Bellissimi Ornamenti for Mother's Day. The Grand Prize is the gorgeous necklace in the promo image that I created (below). The quote is from Right Here Waiting. Yes, this necklace was created to mimic the pendant that Neil gives Meg in the book. I can't believe how beautiful it is!

So, if you want a chance to win that gorgeous necklace, enter the rafflecopter! The Grand Prize is the necklace and an e-book copy of my three Ward Sisters Series books (Back to December, Only One and Right Here Waiting). First prize is e-books from some great Indie authors - Bethany Averie (All's Fair in Love and Lion), S. L. Dearing (The Gathering), Rene Folsom (Shuttered Affections), Magen McMinimy (Immortal Craving) and Clarissa Wild (Fierce) - plus a gift certificate from Bellissimi Ornamenti and a copy of the first two Ward Sisters Series books. And the second prize is the first two Ward Sisters Series books and a Bellissimi Ornamenti gift certificate. So go! Enter! You have many chances available, plus, there will be extra entries each day if you pay attention to the Bellissimi Ornamenti page and my Author Patti Korbet page on Facebook. Good luck!


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Right Here Waiting - Epilogue WARNING! SPOILERS!

In case you missed it by the title, this post WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS below! I'll give you some space, so you can back away safely... (edited to add an image to take up some space and for eye candy...)

Okay, you've been warned! I had two different epilogue endings for Right Here Waiting. The very first epilogue I chose to cut early in the process for a couple reasons. For one, when I first wrote it, the passage illustrated Meg and Emily's full reconciliation, and once I'd added the scene between Em and Meg after Neil's vivid dream, it was redundant for that purpose. The other reason was because it took place a year after Neil woke up. That was a lot of ground to make up in a story that had already lengthened considerably when Neil's POV was added. Since it brought no new character development to the story and the plot development wasn't crucial to THIS story, it went away.

Then, I moved Meg and Neil's wedding chapter to the epilogue. I thought, up until just before I sent Right Here Waiting out for beta review, that I would keep it. But I decided that I didn't like how much it spoiled stories that came later (namely, Nina's), so I chose to cut it. I still don't want to spoil that story too much, so what I'm going to do is start this segment at the wedding itself. For reference, this takes place in December, a year from when Emily met Rob and about four months after the end of Right Here Waiting. More of the wedding will be shown in Nina's story, so stay tuned for that!

Right Here Waiting - Epilogue

The ceremony was short, despite a couple of readings and a sermon by her pastor on how love could help a couple endure all the trials of life, but that it would always be a bigger challenge than necessary unless we put ourselves in God's hands. Meg had spent every Sunday since the first one after she met Neil's parents going to church to pray. She had told no one but Neil and her future in-laws about her new found relationship to God, so it seemed more than appropriate for Neil's mother to say something at their wedding.

Siobhan stood at the podium. Meg had told her that she could say whatever she felt. Over the last year, she had come to rely on Neil's mother to have just the right words to make everything okay so many times that she'd lost track.

“This is one of what we all know as Murphy's Laws:

Nothing is as easy as it looks.

Everything takes longer than you expect.

And if anything can go wrong,

It will at the worst possible moment.

We were so very blessed this last year to have Meghan in our lives to help us through Neil's deployment. It seemed that Neil was livin' up to his name by finally getting' the girl o' his dreams just when he was bein' put in harms way. But Meghan stood by him, even when the worst happened. I know it nearly killed her to sit and wait for Neil to regain his memory. It was torture for Aidan and me, too, because we knew just how deep their love ran. The doctors said that it was important to let Neil come back to his memories on his own. In part, because there was a lot that happened durin' wartime that might be jogged and be detrimental. How Meghan sat by and waited for it to happen, I don't know. Some might say it's due to her bein' a therapist. I can only say that I think it was her faith in God, that he wouldn't have given her Neil only to take him away. And her faith paid off, because now we're here, today, to celebrate the love they have for one another. A love that strong will be able to weather the harshest of circumstances. Ye shouldn't have to start out with things so hard. But at least now ye know ye can make it through the rest. Everythin' else should be smooth sailin' by comparison. I love ye both. Very much. Meghan, ye have become the daughter I never had and I feel particularly blessed to know ye'll be the one to take care o' my baby. And Neil, if ye ever do that to yer wife again, ye'll have yer ma to answer to, got it?”

Her expression was mock stern as everyone laughed. She returned to her seat.

Meg looked at Neil, who smiled at her with so much love she thought she might collapse from the weight of it. Fortunately, her love for him was as strong as his own and she knew she wasn't the marshmallow anymore, the one with the vague appearance of being able to bounce back. The weight of the last year or so had been carried by more than just Meg because she let it be for once in her life. First, of course, was God, whom she had leaned on more than she ever could have imagined before she met Neil. But there was also the Murphys; Nina; Owen; Charlie and Dan; and of course, at the end, Em.

As they said their vows and exchanged rings, Meg started to cry tears of joy. They didn't need the vows or the rings to tell each other how much they meant, how much love was there between them. This was more for their friends and family and to make a promise in front of God. But the truth was, that after this last year or so, Meg knew nothing could really shake them. Not now. Not when they'd endured the worst already.

For the rest of her life, she would lean on Neil and he on her. And nothing ever felt so right.

Clarissa Wild's FLAME - Cover Reveal and Promo Contest!

Title: FLAME (#2, FIERCE)

Author: Clarissa Wild

Publication Date: May 8th 2014

Genre: New Adult Romance
Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21491054-flame

Synopsis

When trust is challenged and desire takes control, is love enough to conquer fear?

When geeky book nerd Autumn Blakewood falls for the cocky, confident fighter Hunter Bane she knows she’s in for life. Their undeniable connection, fueled by the desire to protect, grows stronger every passing second. However, the need to feel cherished threatens her college graduation, family bonds, and future, tearing her apart, but she won’t give up on Hunter so easily …

After he was abandoned by his family, Hunter Bane struggles to cope with daily life. Having a learning disability turns every task into a challenge. With his brother now free, Hunter feels the pressure to succeed and take care of the people he loves, forcing him to choose between college and a job. Hunter’s devotion to Autumn keeps him on the right path. His infatuation with her turns lust into passion, drawing out his alpha tendencies. But with affection comes admission, putting a strain on their relationship as secrets are exposed and unforeseen circumstances spiral out of control.

Being complete opposites, their love is flaming hot, but it burns away all inhibitions, unveiling the fears that were locked deep inside. As past and present collide, difficult choices must be made. Can Autumn and Hunter’s love survive this ultimate test?

Excerpt

From the corner of my eye I catch him peeking at me. I turn my head. “Are you cheating again?”

“What gave you that idea?” A cheeky smile is on his face, making me chuckle.

“I learned from past experiences.” I raise my eyebrow, challenging him.

He seems to take me up on the challenge, making direct, probing eye contact. He squints, his glaring grey eyes scanning my face, lingering on my lips. He doesn’t mask the blatant eye-fuck. God, this guy is going to kill me.

“You sure about that?” He scoots closer, closing the gap between us. His face is dangerously close to mine. The smirk on his face is as unbelievably obnoxious as it is sexy.

“I’m not that shy girl anymore,” I say.

“Hmm … looks like it to me.” He brushes one finger over my shoulder, and I’m thrilled yet again. These simple touches of his are so full of hunger, rippling with lust, it’s like I’m bathing in it.

Still, I won’t give in to his games so easily. He used to be able to silence me with just a look. I was too scared to act, but now that I’ve seen him full throttle, I’m not scared anymore. I can handle him.

“Hey, you can try all you like, but I’m not giving you my notes. You won’t learn anything that way.”

Hunter’s half-smile slowly turns into a grin as he inches closer and closer. His nose almost touches mine, I need only lean forward to crash into his lips. But I don’t. Self-control, Autumn. Keep it together. You’re in class for god’s sake.

“Oh, I’m not trying to get your notes. Not anymore,” he growls. His lips briefly brush past mine, but when I open my mouth and close my eyes to receive his kiss, I’m left hanging. Air catches in my throat as I open my eyes again and catch him licking his lips. A devious smile is on his face as he casually leans back in his seat.

“Jerk,” I mumble.

He leans forward, looking at me sideways. “What’s that?” His voice is darkened, sounding displeased. Good. I want him to know that I don’t like it when he teases me so much.

“You heard me.”

His eyes narrow into thin slits as his hand dives under the table. Suddenly, I feel his fingers curling around my leg, squeezing tighter and tighter. His inevitable stare is upon me as he slides his fingers up my jeans. I gasp, my breath faltering as he slips it up to my thigh.

“What did you call me?” Hunter says.

I shudder, my lip quivering as he rests his head on my shoulder. His fingers are digging into my flesh, I can feel it through my jeans, his possessiveness. He breathes in and out, his hot breath tantalizing my skin.

“You think I’m a jerk?” he murmurs. He slides his hand further up my thigh, and a tiny sigh escapes my mouth. “You know that when you call me names, it excites me, right?” he asks.

I nod a few times, holding my breath as he tightens his grip on my leg.

“You should know that the feistier you get, the more I’m driven to conquer you. You fighting me only gives me more motivation to claim you. You know why?”

I shake my head vigorously and he licks his lips in excitement. His fingers slip up toward my most sensitive spot and when they reach it, I swear I’m going to fall apart right there. I feel so ashamed, so embarrassed this is happening right now, in class, but at the same time I don’t want to stop him. This is so hot, I can’t even …

“This here …” He slides his fingers up and down my pussy, making me gasp. My panties are getting wet from his whispers and dominating touch. My body craves him. My mind knows it should focus on studying, but it’s turning to liquid.

“It’s mine. Doesn’t matter what the fuck you call me, but this is all mine. Mine.”

My hand dives under the table, trying to pry him loose from my jeans, but he grabs my wrist with his free hand and pins it to the table.

He grins. “I like the power I have when you let me love you. Claiming you gives me that power.” He rubs harder and harder, and I’m almost panting, trying to keep the noises from escaping my mouth. “And I know you like it. Do you think I don’t notice you looking at me like that with those hungry eyes? You want me to be this way.” Circling the pad of his thumb over my clit, I grow insane with lust.

“But don’t you ever fucking call me a jerk again.”

Books in the Fierce Series

Book 1 - FIERCE

 Fight for your dreams. Fight for your life. Fight for love.

Nerdy girl Autumn Blakewood is the prime example of a goody two-shoes. She studies every night, is never late for class, and always follows the rules. She has never felt the need to step out of her comfort zone. That is, until she meets Hunter.

Hunter Bane is a cocky, confident bad-boy, who's nothing but trouble. He’s a dangerous distraction to everyone around him. Sexy and strong, Hunter enjoys the swooning effect he has on women. Especially those who aren't used to attention, like Autumn.

Autumn finds it hard not to give into Hunter’s advances, even though it all seems like a game to him. Trying to understand him is impossible, because he shrouds himself in mystery.

What she doesn't know is that Hunter has more baggage than anyone should have to carry. When she discovers he's in an illegal frat club to save the one person that matters to him, Autumn realizes this could mean the end of her undeniable connection to him. Even their lives are at risk.

But it's too late to turn back now ...

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Book 1.5 - FURY

Would you risk everything for love?

Life has held nothing but hardships for Hunter Bane. Growing up with a learning disability wasn't easy, especially when you're poor. With only his brother to support him, Hunter clings to the short moments of happiness in life. Like when he meets Autumn Blakewood.

Autumn Blakewood is a geek at heart. Reading is her passion, and she can't spend one day without her books. She's always locked up in her room studying, trying to avoid trouble. Until Hunter comes into her life.

Hunter can't resist the temptation to get closer to Autumn. She is his complete opposite, and yet he's drawn to her in ways he can't explain. But when his brother is caught dealing drugs and sent to prison, Hunter's world shatters.
To save his brother, Hunter has to join the gang he's feared his entire life. Now he's forced to choose between his family and the one girl he loves. Fighting for both, his fury is all he needs...

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Author Bio

Clarissa Wild is the Amazon Bestselling Romance author of FIERCE, a top 200 and top 15 New Adult Romance novel. She is also a writer of erotic romance such as the Blissful Series, The Billionaire's Bet series, the Doing It Series and the Enflamed Series. She is an avid reader and writer of sexy stories about hot men and feisty women. Her other loves include her furry cat friend and learning about different cultures. In her free time she enjoys watching all sorts of movies, reading tons of books and cooking her favorite meals.

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