Review: Death Wish by Megan Tayte

Death Wish by Megan Tayte
Publisher: Heaven Afire
Release Date: February 7, 2015
Book Format: e-book
# of Pages: 305
Synopsis: N SEARCH OF THE MEANING OF DEATH, SHE’LL FIND THE MEANING OF LIFE.

The Ceruleans: mere mortals infused with power over life and death. Five books; one question: If the might of the heavens were in your hands, would you be sinner or saint?

Seventeen-year-old Scarlett Blake is haunted by death. Her estranged sister has made the ultimate dramatic exit. Running away from school, joining a surfing fraternity, partying hard: that sounds like Sienna. But suicide? It makes no sense.

Following in her sister’s footsteps, Scarlett comes to an isolated English cove with grand plans to uncover the truth. Alone. But she hasn’t reckoned on meeting two boys who are determined to help her. Luke: the blue-eyed surfer who’ll see the real Scarlett, who’ll challenge her, who’ll save her. And Jude: the elusive drifter with a knack for turning up whenever Scarlett’s in need.

As Scarlett’s quest for the truth unravels, so too does her grip on reality as she’s always known it. Because there’s something strange going on in this little cove. A dead magpie circles the skies. A dead deer watches from the undergrowth. Hands glow with light. Warmth. Power.

What transpires is a summer of discovery. Of what it means to conquer fear. To fall in love. To choose life. To choose death.

To believe the impossible.  

My Review:

I received Death Wish from the author and this is my honest review.

Death Wish by Megan Tayte is about a teenager named, Scarlett moves into her late grandparents home looking for anything to help her understand more about her sister's death. Scarlett and her sister have lived a very privileged life. They grew up in a huge house with wealthy parents. Both girls were attending private schools and had plans to move into an apartment together when they started college. But that all took a turn for the worse when Sienna lost her life to the ocean.

Upon arriving to the small town the first adventure Scarlett took was to go out into the water. This almost ended badly for her but luckily, Luke was on the lookout and was able to pull her to shore. Scarlett did not know it then but he was a pretty important person throughout the entirety of the book.

I enjoyed this book to pieces, Scarlett was a great character. She was completely dedicated to finding out what happened to her sister, but that did not stop her from taking a breather and allowing herself some fun as well. She met amazing people including, Luke and his sister. Both of them were became extremely close to Scarlett and got her through the summer of pain trying to understand what happened to her sister. She also met the mysterious, Jude who was also pretty important too sort of looked after Scarlett as if he was her guardian angel.

The only problem I had with this book is that it seemed to stray away from Scarlett and her “powers” quite a lot. Thinking back I think there were only 3 or 4 scenes as well as the ending that had anything to do with her healing ability. It sort of felt like her social life with Luke and understanding what happened with her sister took the focus. When in reality her healing powers were pretty much they key as to what happened to her sister and so I feel like a lot more of the book should have been dedicated to that aspect.

Overall though, I realize there are at least 4 or so more books so I am sure I will be able to learn more of Scarlett's abilities in those books. Tayte’s writing was so enjoyable, and easy to read I would positively read anything by her in the future and I cannot wait to get my hands on book 2!

Release Day Blitz: The Way Back To Me by Anne Mercer

 

The Way Back to Me

(Back to Me Series, Book #1)

By Anne Mercier

Release Day: February 23, 2016

Blurb:

She used to be perky, fun, and full of life—everything I hated about girls and their bullshit exterior. People called her bubbly; I called her “fake-as-hell.”

The edgy, dark, lonely girl in front of me was not the Olivia Brennan I knew from high school—far from it, actually. I knew the story—the whole town knew the story, we witnessed it all. It happened in the blink of an eye and the girl we knew was gone.

But I refuse to watch it anymore—I can’t stand it. I’m going to fix it—fix her. It’s time I showed Olivia her way back…Back to the girl she used to be.

Add to Goodreads

 

Excerpt

It’s so peaceful here. The birds chirping. The sun shining. The squirrels running around looking for chestnuts that have fallen off the old tree on the property line. If I lift my eyes, I can just see the edges of the leaves blowing in the wind. Lifting my head takes too much work. I don’t even raise myself up when I drink from the bottle in my hand—and because I don’t, the tequila runs down the side of my face and wets the neckline of my dress. My black dress. The dress I wore when they put them all in the ground—when they put my Danny in the ground.

I’d waited. I went home and waited. After an hour, I came back. I don’t want to be anywhere else. Here, I feel close to him. The sun’s been shining all day reminding me how easily the world around me moves along. But I don’t. I can’t. So I lay here unsure as to how long I’ve been out here. Minutes? Hours? I don’t care and the alcohol is making it even easier not to.

I turn and stare at the etched words on the smooth marble surface. The pain in my heart is unbearable. I reach out to trace the letters, my breath coming faster with each one. Panic sets in as I admit to myself what I’ve been unable to: I am alone. I’m still feeling. This is unacceptable.

I take another gulp of tequila, noting it’s over half gone and I’m still not numb enough, so I take another, the burn warming my belly.

I wake to the feel of cool raindrops falling from the sky, soaking my clothes and hair.

I’m still drunk and I can barely keep my eyes open despite the fact that I’m shivering.

Strong arms lift me from the ground. I clumsily resist, swatting at whoever it is disturbing my serenity.

“Shh. You’re safe, Kitten. I’ve got you,” a masculine voice says. It’s familiar but I can’t place the owner. It’s the same voice that carried me home from the dock two days ago, and the beach two days before that where I lay alone in my grief—before my friends were laid to rest here. Today I had them.

“Don’t wanna go home,” I complain.

“You can’t keep doing this to yourself, Livvy,” he whispers.

A traitorous tear slips from my eye, blending in with the raindrops cascading down my face. I wrap my arms around his neck when he starts walking.

“I have nothing left,” I whisper.

He sighs. “You have a whole hell of a lot left. You need to look past your pain and try to live.”

I shake my head.

“This isn’t doing you any good. You’re not only making yourself sick, but your mom too. She and your dad are so worried they’ve got the whole town looking for you,” the voice tells me softly.

“Great.” I’ll continue to be the topic of everyone’s gossip. Can’t they mind their own damn business and just leave me to grieve?

“You need to stop this,” he tells me again.

“They’re all gone,” I admit, showing this faceless man who’s been my unidentified savior what hurts the most.

“They are,” he admits with a nod, the stubble on his jawline rubbing against my forehead. “But you’re here. You’re alive.”

“I don’t want to be.”

He nods again and his arms tighten around me as he continues to walk steadily toward what I assume is my home. “I get that. But do you want to put your mother through the kind of pain you’re feeling right now?”

His soft question belies the harshness it carries with it. That’s not what I want. I don’t want to hurt my mom. I just want this pain to go away.

He walks up the steps and the front door to my house opens. I can smell homemade apple pie and the lemon soap my mom likes to use to clean.

“Where did you find her?” my dad asks as my mom touches my forehead. I keep my eyes closed. I don’t want to see the pity or anguish on her face. I’ve seen it enough.

“The cemetery,” my savior confesses. “Tequila was her drink of choice today.”

Traitor.

Buy Links

Amazon:

US http://amzn.to/1Ik7mYl

AU http://bit.ly/TWBTM_pre_AU

CA http://bit.ly/TWBTM_pre_CA

UK http://bit.ly/TWBTM_pre_UK

BN: http://bit.ly/TWBTM_pre_BN

iBooks: http://bit.ly/TWBTM_pre_iBooks

Kobo: http://bit.ly/TWBTM_pre_Kobo

Playlist

The Way Back To Me Playlist

Without You - Mariah Carey

Hero - Mariah Carey

One Sweet Day - Mariah Carey w/ Boyz II Men

Ashes and Wine - A Fine Frenzy

My Immortal - Evanescence

Breath (2AM) - Anna Nalick

Try - Colbie Caillat

Snuff - Slipknot

Broken - Lifehouse

Never Be the Same - Red

I Can’t Love You Back - Easton Corbin

It Only Hurts - Default

The Memory Will Never Die - Default

A Little Bit Stronger - Sara Evans

Drowning (Face Down) - Saving Abel

When She Cries - Britt Nicole

Start of Something Good - Daughtry

Alive - Adelitas Way

Heaven (Little By Little) - Theory of a Deadman

Wait for Me - Theory of a Deadman

Easy to Love - Theory of a Deadman

Learn My Lesson - Daughtry

Lie To Me - 12 Stones

Kiss Me Slowly - Parachute

Yours to Hold - Skillet

Lay Me Down - Sam Smith & John Legend

Stay - Safetysuit

FourFiveSeconds - Rihanna, Kanye West, Paul McCartney

The Best is Yet to Come - Hinder

Love Me Like You Do - Ellie Goulding

Adore You - Miley Cyrus

Kiss Me - Ed Sheeran

Gravity - Sarah Bareilles

Worth It - Fifth Harmony Kid Ink

Everything - Art of Dying

Raining featuring Adam Gontier - Art of Dying

Sorry - Art of Dying

How Dare You - Sarah Darling

Start of Something Good - Daughtry

Alive - Adelitas Way

Heaven (Little By Little) - Theory of a Deadman

Wait for Me - Theory of a Deadman

Easy to Love - Theory of a Deadman

Learn My Lesson - Daughtry

Lie To Me - 12 Stones

Kiss Me Slowly - Parachute

Yours to Hold - Skillet

Lay Me Down - Sam Smith & John Legend

Stay - Safetysuit

FourFiveSeconds - Rihanna, Kanye West, Paul McCartney

The Best is Yet to Come - Hinder

Love Me Like You Do - Ellie Goulding

Adore You - Miley Cyrus

Kiss Me - Ed Sheeran

Gravity - Sarah Bareilles

Worth It - Fifth Harmony Kid Ink

Everything - Art of Dying

Raining featuring Adam Gontier - Art of Dying

Sorry - Art of Dying

How Dare You - Sarah Darling

Start of Something Good - Daughtry

Alive - Adelitas Way

Heaven (Little By Little) - Theory of a Deadman

Wait for Me - Theory of a Deadman

Easy to Love - Theory of a Deadman

Learn My Lesson - Daughtry

Lie To Me - 12 Stones

Kiss Me Slowly - Parachute

Yours to Hold - Skillet

Lay Me Down - Sam Smith & John Legend

Stay - Safetysuit

FourFiveSeconds - Rihanna, Kanye West, Paul McCartney

The Best is Yet to Come - Hinder

Love Me Like You Do - Ellie Goulding

Adore You - Miley Cyrus

Kiss Me - Ed Sheeran

Gravity - Sarah Bareilles

Worth It - Fifth Harmony Kid Ink

Everything - Art of Dying

Raining featuring Adam Gontier - Art of Dying

Sorry - Art of Dying

How Dare You - Sarah Darling

About Anne

I was born and raised in Wisconsin and still live here today with my two sons and puppy. (Though one day soon I hope to move to southern California!)

I’m an avid reader who gets inspired by reading the stories from my favorite authors as well as listening to various types of music. I am a huge fan of music, chocolate, fruit, desserts, autumn, M. Shadows, Avenged Sevenfold, and Milo Ventimiglia. Through my books, I am proudly creating new Avenged Sevenfold and Milo Ventimiglia fans one reader at a time.

I absolutely love interacting with readers and invite you to contact me any time via email: Anne@AnneMercierAuthor.com.

“The best part of being an author, to me, is being able to take the reader to that one place they long to go when they need to escape reality. Knowing I can do that, for even one reader, makes what I do worthwhile.” ~ Anne Mercier

Hugs and love,

Anne xoxo

Stalk Anne

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http://www.twitter.com/Anne_Mercier_

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http://AnneMercierAuthor.com

Book Blitz: Asleep by Krystal Wade

To celebrate the release of the spine-chilling YA psychological thriller ASLEEP by Krystal Wade, we have a full blog tour and exciting giveaways ahead! ASLEEP is the debut novel from Blaze Publishing, and answers the question of what happens when Sleeping Beauty meets Freddy Krueger. If you want to see more of ASLEEP, you can still find the Ten Weeks of Teasers and other great content on the Blaze Publishing blog. Order your copy now!

Asleep
Krystal Wade
Published by: Blaze Publishing
Publication date: February 16th 2016
Genres: Horror, Young Adult

“To cure fear, you must use fear.”
Rose Briar claims no responsibility for the act that led to her imprisonment in an asylum. She wants to escape, until terrifying nightmares make her question her sanity and reach out to her doctor. He’s understanding and caring in ways her parents never have been, but as her walls tumble down and Rose admits fault, a fellow patient warns her to stop the medications. Phillip believes the doctor is evil and they’ll never make it out of the facility alive. Trusting him might be just the thing to save her. Or it might prove the asylum is exactly where she needs to be.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / Signed Copy

Follow the Blog Tour!

Tuesday 2/16	Wednesday 2/17	Thursday 2/18
Vicki Leigh: First Chapter Reading	Jordan Elizabeth: First Chapter Reading	Eve Langell: First Chapter Reading
Case Maynard: Promo Post	What A Nerd Girl Says: Interview	A Thousand Books: Teaser One
Friday 2/19	Saturday 2/20	Sunday 2/21
OriginiquEquanimity: Promo Post	Janelle Howard: Teaser Two	Archaeolibrarian: Teaser Three
Ryan Hill: Interview		Nerd Girl Official: Promo Post
		Tesairie’s Book Reads: Promo Post

Chapter 1 read by author:

Author Bio:
Krystal Wade can be found in the sluglines outside Washington D.C. every morning, Monday through Friday. With coffee in hand, iPod plugged in, and strangers-who sometimes snore, smell, or have incredibly bad gas-sitting next to her, she zones out and thinks of fantastical worlds for you and me to read. How else can she cope with a fifty mile commute?
Good thing she has her husband and three kids to go home to. They keep her sane.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

Want to stay up to date on everything from Blaze Publishing? Sign up for our newsletter so you don't miss a thing! The first 100 subscribers get free Blaze bookmarks (UK, US, and Canada only) AND get added to our Loyal 100 group, which gives you access to exclusive news, teasers, prizes, and ARCs!

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GIVEAWAY!

We're giving away some awesome prizes to celebrate the release of ASLEEP, including this stylish cuff! Enter with the Rafflecopter below and tell your friends!

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Release Day Blitz: You're Still The One by Rachel Harris

 

We are so excited to bring you the Release Week Blitz for Rachel Harris’s YOU’RE STILL THE ONE, the first novel in Rachel’s Country Blues Series! YOU’RE STILL THE ONE - a novel published by Entangled Bliss - is out now. Grab your copy today!

 

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo

Add to your Goodreads

   
 About YOU’RE STILL THE ONE: Love is one dare neither of them can take... Arabella Stone, Nashville's darling, is eager to shuck her prim-and-proper rep, and a few wild months spent checking items off her " summer bucket list" is the way to do it. First up: kiss the man she's crushed on since she wore a training bra, the bad boy of country himself, Blue bassist Charlie Tucker. For Charlie, a beautiful woman flirting with him isn't out of the norm--but a beautiful woman bolting after the hottest kiss of his life sure is. And when he finds out his kiss-and-run Cinderella is none other than Arabella Stone, daughter of his label's CEO, he knows he's in trouble. Because not only is she a Stone, she's also his employee for the next few months at the recording studio he just bought. Over the course of one thrilling summer, Arabella and Charlie chip away at her bucket list and fight the simmering attraction between them...knowing that once it's all over, so is their time together.

About Rachel Harris: New York Times bestselling author Rachel Harris writes humorous love stories about sassy girls-next-door and the hot guys that make them swoon. Vibrant settings, witty banter, and strong relationships are a staple in each of her books…and kissing. Lots of kissing. An admitted Diet Mountain Dew addict and homeschool mom, she gets through each day by laughing at herself, hugging her kids, and watching way too much Food Network with her husband. She writes young adult, new adult, and adult romances, and LOVES talking with readers!    

Website | Facebook |Twitter | Rachel Harris Goodreads | Newsletter Sign Up

   

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Blog Tour: Entrall by M. R. Reed

Enthrall by MR Reed

Blog Tour

February 1-12th, 2016

BUY IT ON AMAZON

Synopsis:

After years of being a helpless witness to his alcoholic father’s abuse towards his family, seventeen-year-old Miles Boswell has just about reached his breaking point. He dreams of the day where he can leave everything behind and begin a new life on his own -- that is, until he discovers that he has the ability to control people’s minds. Suddenly, the odds are overwhelmingly in his favor.

But what begins as the answer to all of his problems soon causes him to question his every thought when he captures the attention of August Sylvan, who seems to be the girl of his dreams. As someone who has limited experience with girls, Miles can’t help but wonder -- where do his powers end, and where does reality begin? 

At the same time, he finds himself at constant odds with his morals and his potentially warped sense of justice...and soon discovers that nothing is as simple as it seems.

This book contains strong language, violent scenes, and some sexual content. 

Meet M. R. Reed,

Our formative years are the ones that stick with us the most--you know, those tirelessly frustrating yet unforgettably magical moments that shape us into the people that we will become. The music that I liked as a teenager, the books that I read, the relationships that I created (and destroyed)...those are the things that I think truly formed the adult that I am today. I still love those things. I still think about those things. I still harbor a lot of anger in relation to the events that I experienced as a teenager, and it does nothing but fuel my creative spirit.

And that's what I like to write about: Teenagers, and all of their idiosyncrasies, and concerns, and that whole unintentionally egocentric view that they have about their worlds. I find it fascinating. I'm thankful every day that I'm no longer a teenager, but I have to admit that it's a interesting time to look back on.

Miles and August encompass a lot of me, and my experiences, and my observations. The music, books, and beliefs that I held at that time inspired me to write about the events that take place in Enthrall. My intense hope is that somebody reads it and is able to relate, or get through a difficult time, and just know that somebody understands what he/she is going through (at least a little bit.) That's what music and books did for me. I hope to pay it forward. 

Interview with Reed,

P: What are the hardest/most rewarding parts about being a writer?
M.R.: The hardest part for me personally is finding time to write. I'm also a high school English teacher and a mom, so free time is not readily available to me. As for most rewarding, there are two things that stand out--first, being able to live out scenarios that you probably never would in real life simply by being able to dream it and put it on a page. Second, when readers tell me that they stayed up until the wee hours of the morning because they couldn't put my book down.

P: What advice can you give new writers just starting out?M.R.: Revise. Over and over again. Even when you think it's perfect, go back in a week and look again. Things that sounded great at first often look dumb, or poorly worded, or unnecessary later on. Also, get anybody that you can to read your drafts, and ask them to be honest. You don't always have to agree with their suggestions, but it's helpful to see how a fresh pair of eyes interpret your story and your characters.

P: What made you want to write young adult? M.R.: Like many people, being a teenager sucked for me. I had unsupportive parents, I was horribly awkward, and music and books were my escape. If I can help one person get through adolescence a little easier, then I'll feel like I've done something worthwhile. Sometimes feeling like there's someone else out there who understands you or who's been through something similar to your situation can be a tremendous help. 

P: What motivates you to sit down and write? M.R.: Knowing that I have a story to tell. Knowing that I have these characters in my head, bursting at the seams, desperate for everyone to know about their lives and their struggles.

P: Lastly, Do any of you have street teams, or beta readers, or even just a newsletter that me or my followers can sign up to be apart of for upcoming releases?M.R.: The closest thing that I have to that is a Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/M-R-Reed-880666808627518/
And a Tumblr: whatsername-derbygirl.tumblr.com  

Thank you so much to M. R. Reed for answering questions for my blog today! If anyone has read her book let me know in the comments, if not what are you waiting for?

Blog Tour: Review: Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum

Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum 
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: April 15, 2016
Book Format: ARC
# of Pages: 270
Synopsis: What if the person you need the most is someone you’ve never met?

Julie Buxbaum mixes comedy and tragedy, love and loss, pain and elation, in her debut YA novel whose characters will come to feel like friends. Tell Me Three Things will appeal to fans of Rainbow Rowell, Jennifer Niven, and E. Lockhart.

Everything about Jessie is wrong. At least, that’s what it feels like during her first week at her new ultra-intimidating prep school in Los Angeles. Just when she’s thinking about hightailing it back to Chicago—the closest place she has to something like home—she gets an email from a person calling themselves Somebody/Nobody (SN for short), offering to help her navigate the wilds of Wood Valley High School. Is it an elaborate hoax? Or can she rely on SN for some much-needed help?

The thing is, Jessie does need help. It’s been barely two years since her mother’s death, and because her father eloped with a woman he met online, Jessie has been forced to move across the country to live in LA with her stepmonster and her pretentious teenage son.

In a leap of faith—or an act of complete desperation—Jessie begins to rely on SN, and SN quickly becomes her lifeline and closest ally. Jessie can’t help wanting to meet SN in person. But are some mysteries better left unsolved?


"Three Things about this novel: 1. I loved it. 2. No, really, I LOVED it. 3. I wish I could tell every teen to read it. Buxbaum's book sounds, reads, breathes, worries, and soars like real adolescents do." - Jodi Picoult, NYT bestselling author of LEAVING TIME and OFF THE PAGE.

My Review:

I received Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum from the publisher and this is my honest review.

    Tell Me Three Things tells the story of a teenage girl Jessie who is forced to leave her home, after her mother's death to accompany her father to live with him, and his new wife in Los Angeles. After the loss of his wife Jessie’s father starts a relationship with a widow online, and it blossoms from there. They quickly fall in love and get married which causes him to grab his daughter and hop ship to LA.

    Jessie soon finds herself in what she considers a huge palace with a rich stepmother and a gay stepbrother who seems to hate her. A little time passes after she has started school, and she starts to get anonymous emails from a guy who is referred to throughout the book as SN. He gives Jessie anonymous friendship, answers her questions, and just gives her guidance along her journey at the new school.

This concept, at first reminded me a little catfishy, and for a time I was scared that might be the end result. But that thought only lasted for a second and for the rest of the time I knew this was going to be genuine. One of the big aspects that I loved about this book is that I was able to put puzzle pieces together. By the end of the book I knew exactly who SN was and it made me as happy as pie.

This book was hard in that I fell a little bit for each boy that was involved in Jessie's love life. Except for Caleb I didn't much care for him. Ethan, and Liam I completely fell for. At first I was a little more into Liam than I was Ethan, and the only reason this feeling came about is because I still was not so sure about Ethan, he was still mysterious and the question of whether or not he was going to be nice to Jessie after their project was over or not was still on my mind.

Another aspect that I loved about this book is that Buxbaum took the way that many communicate now in the present and used it to her advantage, and this was all of the texting back and forth. But at the same time she used something that we do not see everyday anymore and that is IM. These two means of communication made the book that much better, it just made the interactions feel that much more authentic.

Overall, I swooned so hard over this book and I would read it a million times over just to feel all the feelings that came with it. I found myself so many times chuckling a little to myself throughout the pages and it just felt like a breath of fresh air to be reading something that made me laugh, and feel so happy. I cannot wait to check out anything and everything else Julie Buxbaum has written.

 

January 2016 Reading Wrap Up!

JANUARY IS OVER!

Good morning my amazing followers! Today I am putting together my January reading wrap up for this year! I hope to leave me video below but if not, I will update this post with a link when that video goes up!

What I read:

• The Lies About Truth by Courtney C. Stevens (Review to come soon!)
  
• City Of Glass by Cassandra Clare
• Heaven Is for Real by Todd Burpo
• Macbeth #killing it by William Shakespeare & Courtney Carbone
• This is Where it Ends by Marieke Nijkamp
• Death Wish by Megan Tayte (Review to come, February 16)

2016 Reading Challenges: Progress

Debut Author Challenge:

•  This Is Where it Ends by Marieke Nijkamp

TBR Pile Reading Challenge: (1-10 books)

1.   City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
2.   Heaven Is for Real by Todd Burpo

Backlist Books Reading Challenge (10 books) 

1.  City of Glass by Cassandra Clare  
2. Heaven Is for Real by Todd Burpo

Finishing the Series Reading Challenge (1 Series)

• Mortal Instruments Series
• City of Glass by Cassandra Clare

 

Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge

 

Promo Post: Until You Came Along by Kshitij

Until You Came Along by Kshitij 

Excerpt: 

I see Luke waving through his office window. Walking past the reception area, I step inside the elevator to travel to the seventh-floor of Pure-Kits Ltd. As the doors of the elevator open, I see my hubby with a red rose in his hand. I smile and accept the beautiful flower. We hug, and Luke says he’s been waiting anxiously for me. He takes my hand as we walk into his office. We then have a long, “ miss you”  kiss (we call it that). Luke’s excited. His expression is similar to what I saw on his face the very first time I seriously noticed him—a face full of love and hope, with a whisper of commitment.  I knew Luke a long time before our marriage. My father and Luke’s were close acquaintances. By the time I finished college, Luke had already established himself financially and was working for a reputable firm in Stoke. Then, four years ago, he joined Pure-Kits and soon earned a significant raise and two quick promotions.  Luke admired me, and he took my family in confidence. My parents liked him for his attitude and sincerity. During my final days of college, Luke asked me out. I said yes, without giving it much thought. He was honest and blunt and always had a subtle smile on his face. On our first date, Luke did everything to make me aware of how special I was to him. I felt a little disconcerted, but, at the same time, I noticed his efforts to win my interest. Like a gentleman, he dropped me home on time.           
 Luke proposed to me on our second date, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. He requested that I join him on a special ferry that he’d booked. In a pretty dramatic fashion, just like in the movies, Luke asked me to marry him. He arranged for the ferry to be decorated with fresh lilies, and I could smell their fragrance all around. He also put on my favorite song (I didn’t know how he figured that out!). He earnestly looked into my eyes, and I was speechless. Then I saw Luke pulling a sparkling diamond ring out of the chest pocket of his suit. “ Est... All my life, I’ve worked hard to put a lot into every relationship. I’ve valued every bond, whether it was personal or business. Now, at this stage of my life, all I want is to be a good husband and a responsible family man. And I think that won’t be possible until you’re by my side, because you’re the girl who can bring the best out of me. You’re the only girl who can turn me into something better. That’s how I feel about you. That’s how I’ve always felt about you.”