WARNING: Mature themes, strong language and sexual content. Recommended for adult readers (18+) only!
Patrick Knight is not a nice guy.
At least, not anymore.
After a failed engagement, a one-night stand, and a random office shag, he’s sent to the desert so his business partner (Derek Alexander), can clean up his mess. Before he kicks his ass.
When Patrick meets Elaine on his desert exile, all he wants is to make her his. The problem is Elaine’s not looking for any guy—she only wants a one-week fling.
Now Patrick’s doing everything he can to change her mind. And just when it seems he’s convinced her he’s the one to keep, the skeletons from his past life start coming back.
Standalone, M/F, HEA
Have you read the first book, One To Hold?
Derek Alexander is an ex-Marine, ex-cop, and the top investigator in his field. Melissa Jones is a small-town girl trying to escape her troubled past.
When the two intersect in a bar in Arizona, their sexual chemistry is off the charts. But what is revealed during their “one week stand” only complicates matters.
Because she’ll do everything in her power to get away from the past, but he’ll do everything he can to hold her.
Note: Stand-alone, M/F, HEA.
***WARNING: Mature themes, strong language and sexual content. Recommended for adult readers (18+) only!***
I HEART Patrick so much! I’m very excited about his book – so, who wants a sexy little excerpt???
Excerpt from ONE TO KEEP
by Tia Louise
*unedited draft, subject to change*
Expected Release January 2014
© 2013, Tia Louise
We sat with our bodies touching, and we sat apart, with her feet in my lap. But that never lasted long before we were back to bodies touching again. Finally, I looked around at the deserted patio and realized how late it was.
I could see she was tired, and I stood, holding out my hand to help her up. “I’ll walk you back to the spa entrance.”
She nodded slowly and took my hand. We didn’t speak the entire way back, and stopping in front of the entrance, all I could think about were her lips and covering them with mine. I’d been thinking about it all night, but I wanted to take it slow. I wanted to handle this one differently—right for a change.
Stepping forward, I paused just before our lips touched, making sure. Her breath whispered over my skin, and her eyes met mine. Then she smiled. In a flash she was in my arms, her body molded to mine, as our mouths touched and opened. After all we’d shared, it felt inevitable, holding each other, tongues entwined, the faint taste of peppermint in my mouth as heat rose below my waist.
It was only a kiss, but it was the most powerful exchange I’d had in months. Her body drew me until my heart beat with hers, and my soul felt threaded to her very breath. My lips traveled to her jaw, to her cheek and then to her ear. She was amazing.
“Goodnight,” I whispered, as I held her closer.
I was saying the words that should have parted us, but I couldn’t let her go. Her arms held me tightly, and I knew this was different from anything I’d experienced before. All of this was tectonically different.
Forcing my arms to release her, I stepped back. I couldn’t look in her eyes or I’d never do what I had to do now. “I hope I’ll see you tomorrow,” I said through the ache in my throat. I wanted her more than anything in that moment.
“I’ll call you,” she said quietly.
I turned away, and my heart, my soul, everything stayed behind as I took the first step and then the second back to the main hotel where I was staying. I’d only made it three feet when I heard her rushing up to me.
“Patrick?” Her voice was a desperate whisper, and I immediately stopped, turning back to face her. She was gorgeous standing in the moonlight, the dry breeze pushing her silky hair off her shoulders. I wanted to cover those shoulders with kisses, wrap my fingers in that hair.
She reached out, and I took both of her hands in mine. “Yes?”
“I don’t want you to leave me,” she said, breathless. “I-I want to spend the night in your arms.”
Her delicate pink tongue touched her bottom lip, and she didn’t have to ask twice. Two steps was all it took to have her back, her body secure against mine. I caught her cheeks and lowered my mouth to cover her soft, beautiful lips again.
I got to sit down and get up close and personal with Derek and Melissa – Check Out My Interview!
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
*ARC Given to Blog for Honest Review*
4 “red” “floating heart necklace” Kisses
A sure way to a dirty book lovers heart is some hot and steamy action right off the bat. One to Hold hooked me within the first 10% with that, but it held my attention with so much more. The mystery, the intrigue, the characters, the twists! I devoured this book within a matter of hours and it not only satisfied my dirty book whore, but it pulled on my heart strings and left me giggling like a school girl at the end.
Melissa Jones…my poor Melissa is sad…broken…a shell of what she once was before her marriage. But she has a plan and is on the road to a happier life…a better life before the ‘bastard fucknut’ – her words, not mine, although I love them and will definitely try and find a way to use them in my every day language. So, on the advice of her best friend, they go away for a little R&R to a spa in the Arizona desert, a trip that will eventually change the course of her life. Although Melissa has been through some shit, she is still a strong woman…a confident woman…and a very sexy woman…one that happens to catch the eye of an equally sexy man.
‘This was not me. I did not fantasize about hooking up with strange men in bars. And a cocky alpha who studied me like I was a frontier landscape he was ready to conquer had never been my type. He probably wanted to tie me up or handcuff me to something. A delicious shiver passed through me at the thought.’
Derek Alexander…oh my…tall, dark, handsome and alpha – yes please! Derek is powerful and charming and sexy and swoony and delicious. My feelings for Derek developed over time…at first, he was a hot, sexy, 6’2” distraction…then he started pulling on those little heart strings I mentioned earlier…and it was a quick fall. I fell right along with Melissa…it’s hard not to. And then…I was sad…then hurt…then betrayed…confused – I was all over the map. But once the ‘truth’ comes out, all was forgiven and forgotten and I was right back to those good old heart warming, loving and sexy feelings. Even with those not so great feelings, I was still drawn to him – I wanted to know why, I was upset but I needed explanations…unlike Melissa who didn’t want to know anything, she just wanted to forget and move on. But you can’t move on from Derek Alexander.
‘“Red is definitely your color,” he said in that low voice that made me wish for the nearest family bathroom.’
Yes…Derek and Melissa have a hot, passionate and amazingly sexy connection. Like off the charts, melt your panties, hot and steamy connection. Wow…just…wow. And Melissa fights it tooth and nail that what they have is more than just this out of control sexual chemistry. Derek is exactly what Melissa needs…just not at the right time and Melissa is exactly what Derek needs, but his reason for meeting her is a little…shitty. I’m being vague with good reason – how everything unfolds is very crucial to the plot and angst and I don’t want to spoil anything because trust me…I did not see this one coming! Maybe I was just too wrapped up in the sexy and swoon, but…yeah, I loved that I didn’t see it coming and hated the way it made me feel.
‘He lowered his face to gently kiss me, and right then it was inescapable. The seemingly endless kiss he pressed, soft lips lingering against mine, tongue lightly touching my tongue, sealed it for me. He was everything I wanted. He was safe with me, I felt safe with him, and I wanted him to hold me forever so badly.’
So, I’m going to address the ‘no-nut sphincter taster’ – once again, not my words, those are Elaine’s (Melissa’s best friend) and another little gem I will be stealing. Sloan Reynolds. Excuse me while I vomit. He’s a piece of shit. Sorry…not going to sugar coat this one. He’s a complete douche canoe with a side of ass hat to boot. Sloan is the soon to be ex-husband…the source of all Melissa’s pain…and he just won’t go away. Ugh…hate talking about him…he’s just yuck yuckity yuck! He’s not necessarily the cause for the angst…but he’s definitely the cause of some of the drama. His presence is an anchor and source of torment to Melissa and the moment she is set free from him…is just awesome.
‘He’d survive without his heart. He had mine to use in its place.’
It wasn’t just the sex that drew me to Derek and Melissa…did they have a fast love affair? Yes…they have a week and there is a lot of push and pull and of course that made me like them more, but the speed of their relationship didn’t bother me, because I felt their connection. It was initially based on sex, but I did feel like they got to know each other and it didn’t feel like it had only been a week. They had an instant pull and draw to each other, which just made feeling comfortable with their relationship that much easier. There was an ease and comfortability that usually takes time to develop but for the Derek and Melissa…I just got it. What else did I love about them…I loved the things he said to her, I loved the necklace he got her, I loved the ‘Christmas surprise’ and I especially loved how they had sex pretty much anywhere and everywhere – hello hotness! I also loved that their best friends developed a relationship too – can I beg for a Elaine and Patrick book?!? 🙂
‘He rose to a sitting position beside me, catching my hand and pulling the back of it to his lips. “I want more than a week this time,” he said, his voice turning gentle. “Much more.” He apused and then held my gaze. “One day soon, when you’re feeling whole again, I’m going to ask you to marry me.”’
There are very few times I can feel this satisfied with the ending of a book…9 times out of 10 I always want more, but I really could not be more satisfied with where Derek and Melissa’s story ending. They are happy, I told you I giggled like a school girl at the end…it was just a sweet, romantic and perfect ending to their story. One To Hold was a whirlwind of a book that completely knocked me off my game and out of a wicked book hangover that I had been stuck in – I loved every second of it! It was sexy, sweet, hot and wonderful. And even better news…it’s going to be a series!!! SQUEEEE – bring on Patrick and One To Keep!
Click here for the Rafflecopter giveaway
Tia Louise is a former journalist now writing sexy novels for sexy adults. All of her stories are inspired by real heroes. Have a truffle, darling. Say yes~
Amanda M. says
Since I have to chose I will say Derek 🙂
Lea says
Haven`t read it yet, so I can`t tell…thanks for the giveaway!!!
Lory Todd says
haven’t read this book yet
Cassie says
I can’t really say who I like better because I haven’t read the books 🙂
Debbie Talbot says
Thanks for the giveaway. I can’t wait to read these books.
Debbie Talbot says
Derek the
Keri Greear says
Haven’t read this one yet but it looks good:)
kgagnon2013 says
Thanks for the post, I have not read it yet but is on my kindle and tbr list. I enjoyed reading your thoughts on
One To Hold and the teaser for One To Keep! I am so excited and will move up OTH on my tbr list! Come on January! =D
Mia says
Welll that’s a difficult question…..mmm…I would have to say Derek…..Sorry Patrick!
Nikki Flannery says
I haven’t read the book yet 🙁 hopefully I will get to read it soon.
Rebecca says
I will let you know when I get a chance to read these books. They both (books and guys) sound great.
kwhang says
I’d love to say one or the other, but I’m just not sure! Both are on my TBR list!
Ronda Thayer says
Not sure haven’t read this series. I’m looking forward to reading these books
jodi marinich says
havent read so i cant chose
catlover415 says
Looking forward to reading both books!
Debbie Jensen says
Haven’t read the book yet. Thanks for the giveaway.
Filia Oktarina says
Haven`t read this series yet, so I can`t tell.
Thanks for the giveaway!!!
Gina H says
Haven’t read the books, but who could choose, I think all women want a bad boy to love them, but know a good guy will make them happy! Thanks for the giveaway!
Amy Pollard Woolard says
I have not read the books yet, but I plan to fix that soon!! I think they sound amazing & I am very interested in reading them!!
bookbug55 says
I can let you know after I read these books, which I just discovered!
kimlrkim says
I have not read them yet but look forward to reading. Thank you for the wonderful giveaway.
Claudia Adrianne Triplet says
Can’t I have both? 🙂
Amy Keating Casey says
I haven’t been able to read yet…..but I would love to find out! 🙂
Juli Huber Hall says
I haven’t read it yet but by the excerpt i think I’m leaning toward Derek. Thanks for the giveaway
Carrie Stevens says
derek!!
Diana Doan says
Can’t pick a side just yet b/c I haven’t read it. But I’ll let you know when I do 🙂
terrie61 says
This is my first intro to these books. After reading the excerpt from “One to Hold” I am anxious to read both of these books. Thanks for the chance to win an ecopy of “One to Hold”.
Christina Finizio says
Haven’t read it yet! 🙁
But I can say when I do, it won’t be easy to pick just one! Can’t I say both…. 🙂
dawn ruchel says
Haven’t read this one yet but it looks good:) Thank you for the giveaway.
Christina G (@MsChris1161) says
Derek, this is horrible but he had me at 6’2″!
elainekelly59 says
Can’t chose, have not read them yet…..
Anna Kidd says
Thanks for the giveaway! i haven’t read the series yet, but it’s now on my tbr list!
Lilian Quiros says
I’m sorry to say I’ve never read from this author. It looks good great giveaway!
Mary Preston says
Not sure yet.
laura Lovejoy Brunk says
Hmmm, i don’t know….i haven’t read your book yet. BUT it’s looks and reads like it’s totally hot !
sam0694 says
I can’t say I haven’t read any of the books to be honest but I will get on that and have an honest answer.
cyndibarber says
I can’t pick one, since I have not read the ebook. It is on my tbr and wish list in kindle