NEW Release: Always our Love by Tawdra Kandle

 

ALWAYS OUR LOVE

is available now!

Finally . . . Jenna tells her story.

The third book in the Always Love Trilogy is here!

Jenna Sutton celebrated her twenty-first birthday by persuading Trent Wagoner, the guy she'd been crushing on for months, to sleep with her. When he broke her heart and crushed her dreams by rejecting her afterward, a devastated Jenna tried to end her life. Trent has told his side of the story. So has Jenna's mom, and her cousin, and just about everyone else in the small Georgia town of Burton. Now it's Jenna's turn. Over two years later, Jenna's finally figuring out her life. Her job at the county historical society is steady and predictable, two elements she appreciates right now. She's living on her own, and her world is peaceful, if lonely. That is, until Lincoln Turner comes to town. When Linc's wife was killed in a car accident, she left him with two small children and a bleak future. Six years later, he's a recovering alcoholic who's just gotten his kids back and is ready to tackle a new position as co-owner of a building restoration company . . . in Burton. Jenna isn't looking for love, and Linc definitely doesn't want any attachments. And neither of them are ready for the sparks that fly when a huge project brings them together. Still, the road to true love has more bumps than they could imagine. Making their way to a happy ending won't be easy. But this is Burton, and happily-ever-afters are a specialty of the house.

Buy your copy here!

iBooks/Amazon/Nook/Kobo/Google

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Always For You, the first book in the Always Love trilogy, is now FREE for a limited time.

You can find it here:

Amazon/iBooks/Nook/Google/Kobo/Amazon UK/Amazon Australia

~~~***~~~

All of my Burton books are set to the best country songs. So it was only fitting that ALWAYS OUR LOVE, the third book in the Always Love Trilogy, includes some of my favorite hometown hits!

You can check out the list below and on Spotify (where you can follow me and see all of my books' playlists).

 
Tawdra Kandle writes romance, in just about all its forms. She loves unlikely pairings, strong women, sexy guys, hot love scenes and just enough conflict to make it interesting. Her books include YA paranormal romance, NA paranormal and contemporary romance, and adult contemporary and para mystery romance. She lives in central Florida with a husband, kids, sweet pup and too many cats. And yeah, she rocks purple hair.   Follow Tawdra: Facebook/Twitter/Pinterest/Instagram/Website/Newsletter/Amazon/BookBub And if you love her books, join the Naughty Temptresses!

Cover Reveal: Murder on Moonshine Hill by Joan C. Curtis

When Jenna decides to go to this wedding, she expects to dredge up old secrets and old hurts and she expects to see people from her past, but she doesn’t expect to stumble on a dead body. Jenna’s friend is arrested. The wedding is cancelled. And Jenna’s tendency to stick her nose where it shouldn’t be leads her into the path of the killer. Set in the serene mountains of North Carolina Murder on Moonshine Hill is filled with suspense, humor, and a quirky cast of supporting characters.

Releases August 23 Pre-order - Amazon / Nook

  Joan is an award-winning writer who has published 6 books and numerous stories. Readers compare her to the great Southern writer, Fanny Flagg. “She writes characters and a story that will stay with you.” Her debut mystery/suspense novel, The Clock Strikes Midnight, won the silver medal for fiction/suspense in the Global eBook Awards for 2015 and is a finalist for the Royal Palm Literary Award. The e-Murderer won first place in the Malice Domestic Grants competition for new writers. Joan has been an avid reader for as long as she can remember. She reads all kinds of books, including women’s fiction, mysteries, biography, and nonfiction. Mystery/suspense with a psychological twist is exactly the kind of book Joan loves to read."I write about characters who remind me of myself at times and my sister at times, but never fully so. My stories are told from a woman's point of view with a destiny. Characters drive my writing and my reading." Having grown up in the South with a mother from Westchester County New York, Joan has a unique take on blending the Southern traditions with the eye of a Northerner. She spent most of her childhood in North Carolina and now resides in Athens, Georgia.

Excerpt: PLAYING DOCTOR By Allison Gatta 14 stories 0.99

 1of the 14 stories.

PLAYING DOCTOR
By Allison Gatta
High-powered executive Felicia Webb went on the company retreat to Hawaii for one reason: To win over her new boss. Well, that and to finally score the promotion she’s had her eye on for a solid two years now. Still, grabbing the boss’ attention may be easier said than done when a freak accident forces her into the hospital…and the arms of the handsome doctor hell-bent on showing her just how screwed up her priorities are.

Trey Patterson is determined to live a life without complications. Now that he’s moved away from the big city and settled on the laid back island of Oahu, he’s made some pretty big changes to his life—the biggest of which is his new no-dating policy. Still, when a fiery redhead practically falls into his lap, it’s all he can do to control his anything-but-hands-off urges.

Buy Links: Available on Amazon / Nook / iBooks / Kobo

*Here's an excerpt from Playing Doctor by Allison Gatta: *

She'd been replaced.

Barbara glanced at her from across the room again and Felicia scooted from her chair as quickly and quietly as she could, then backed out into the resort hallway.

She had to find a bathroom. Someplace to clear her mind, to think things through and get right with herself.

She sprinted down the hall until she found a water fountain and stopped short. She took a quick look around, then leaned her hip on the little lever and splashed her face with some of the cool, crisp water.

"Get it together, Felicia," she whispered. "This doesn't mean anything. You just have to...have to..."

She sighed, then splashed her face with water. "If you can't beat them, join them. You just have to beat them at their own game. Chill out. You just have to--"

"Talking to yourself?" A familiar voice sounded from behind her and she turned to find Doctor Patterson staring down at her. This time, though, she didn't have to imagine what he'd look like underneath his lab coat and professional-looking slacks. Today, he was dressed in bright red swim trunks and nothing else, leaving every line of his perfectly contoured abs open for her to ogle.

She trained her vision on his cool blue eyes, then swallowed hard. He was smiling a toothy, white smile she hadn't seen the day before. The lines of concern on his forehead had been replaced with clear amusement.

He was laughing at her.

"I wasn't--" she started, but he cut her off.

"You were. It's okay. Perfectly sane, in fact."

Something warm dripped on her cheek and suddenly she was all too aware of how her face must look. The lines of her mascara were probably running down her cheeks, making her look like a discount rodeo clown.

Quickly, she swiped her cheek with the back of her hand. "Glad to hear it."
"I'm glad you read the pamphlet, too."

"I--"
"The pep talks, the cold water. It all helps. Though, if you're not busy, maybe you'd like to try those stress tests--"
"No offense, but you don't seem to be dressed for work."
He glanced down at himself, then smiled. "No, I guess you're right. I'm going to meet a friend who does surf instruction on the island."
"That sounds fun."
"It's a nice way to relax, for sure." He placed the emphasis "relax" and she had to fight not to roll her eyes at him.
"You know, some people just like to work."
"And some people work until it kills them," he shot back. "Besides, since I'm off the clock, I might mention that your hair would probably look great if you let it down every once in awhile."

"I let my hair down."

"Far be it from me to disagree."

She glanced up at him, suddenly noticing exactly how close he'd gotten.
Somehow, in the few moments since they'd been talking, they were now only inches from each other. Close enough for her to feel the sun's heat still radiating from his skin. Close enough that if she got on her tiptoes she
might just be able to...

She studied his lips, full and supple and still so strong. Silently, she wondered what he tasted like. What the heady mix of his piney, masculine smell would do to her as she kissed him.

"I have to get back to work," she said.

"Color me surprised." He smiled down at her, but she didn't bother to smile back at him.

Instead, she rushed back to the conference room, determined to never, ever
see him again.
*Here's an excerpt from  Over It By Christine Bell:*

"You hate when I cry. That's what you said to me the other night, right Robbie?" Her voice sounded choked and the tears that had clearly been locked and loaded now fell freely down her golden cheeks. "Yeah," I said
softly, clenching my fists at my side in an effort to keep from wiping those tears away. "Do you think that's kind of ironic," she asked, cocking her head to the side to study me through bleary green eyes. "Like, when you
cheated on me and then dumped me, do you have any idea how long I cried?"
The question lay between us like a venomous snake. I refused to pick it up, knowing if I did, the pain of her answer would stay with me for a lifetime.
"Years. I cried for years," she whispered, swiping a hand over her mouth to
wipe the tears away. "After all we had been through together...after all we had done, and meant to each other, that you could just walk away and never
look back?" A sob broke through her lips and I swallowed the golf ball that had lodged in my throat. "The fact that you never once called to see if I was okay? To this day, I can't wrap my head around it. Was I crazy? Was
that whole four years a lie?" "No, God, no." I reached for her but she held up a hand like a shield and I stilled. "I know it's hard to believe, but I never meant to hurt you. I thought a clean break was for the best." "What would've been best for me is if you had kept your fucking dick in your pants." She jabbed her pointer finger into my chest as her voice went shrill. "What would've been best was if I hadn't lost the person I loved most in the whole world. What would've been best was if you hadn't been such a good fucking liar from the start." She curled her arm around her waist, and pursed her lips before meeting my gaze again with one that
seemed so broken and resigned, it made me nauseous. "I’m sorry. I know that’s not fair. I’m supposed to have grown. Moved on. Forgiven. And maybe some part of me has. I loved being there for you tonight. No one was
rooting harder than me. I want nothing but the best for you, Robbie. But know this. You’re no fucking Boy Scout. You’ve already made me cry more than any other man could. And I don't want to love you anymore. I'm
graduating and about to embark on my dream. The thing I've worked so hard for. It means everything to me.” Her eyes looked so sad, so full of despair, they cut into me like lasers. “So why can't I stop thinking about you?" 

The words I'd been holding in like a scream for the past four years died in my chest as I looked down at her. Nothing had changed. Except now it would be even more of a sacrifice for her to be with me. She was going
to med school three thousand miles away. If I told her the truth now she'd either hate my guts for lying to her all those years ago, or she'd want to give that up for me. In either case, we'd never get our happy ending. Not
ever. I took a step back, cursing myself for being a blind fool for thinking for even a second that there was a way to make things right, but before I could make my excuses and leave to lick my wounds before I did something stupid, she was talking again in a low voice. "Maybe we should...maybe we can..." She swallowed hard, her throat working as she closed the distance between us and laid her hand on my chest. "Maybe if we finally had our night. One last night to say goodbye, we could get some closure. What do you think, Robbie? One last night." No. No fucking way.
Absolutely not. That was the worst idea ever created. One that could only end in utter and total heartache for us both. But I said none of that.
Instead, I let out a muffled groan as all the longing and sadness and need broke loose, and I grabbed her. Her fingers curled into the cotton of my t-shirt, her eyes going wide a second before I slanted my mouth over hers.

Review: Goodnight Kisses by Wilhelmina Stolen

Fearing she carries her mother’s curse of marriage, nineteen-year-old Eleanor Mackenna swore never to vow herself into matrimonial bondage. Nuptials aren’t needed where true love is concerned. A concept she is sure a man like McCrea Coldiron would agree with. The town gossip has him pegged as a heart breaker, but Eleanor knows a different side to McCrea. And years of loving him without seeing his affection returned has made her desperate enough to ask him for advice on seducing a man. ??

McCrea isn’t proud of his reputation as a brawler and a womanizer. As a teenager the rumors were funny, now they may cost him the land he has worked so hard for. Chatty little Eleanor Mackenna has been chasing his spurs for years and ignoring her was easy to do until she grew up. A beautiful face and curves in all the right places made her hard to resist, and when his granddad lays down an ultimatum to make her his wife, McCrea
offers her a first class lesson in seduction.?

Their date ending in more than good night kisses was everything McCrea promised it would be, but his sudden withdraw, and cold reaction to her confession of love reveal his true motives. A business arrangement with
benefits.

Get Goodnight Kisses on Amazon / iBooks /Smashwords / Kobo / Gumroad

                                           Review:

Eleanor Mackenna is 19 years and has for years a crush on McCrea Coldiron but he has no interest in the friend of his younger sister. Till one day when he opens his eyes and realize that she is grown up and beautiful. His grandfather tells him that McCrea only can have the land he was promised, if he shows what he is worth and get married. McCrea furious makes a plan to get Eleanor to marry him for a year and then go separate ways and she get payed. Eleanor if very hurt and McCrea doesn't understand it was a good deal right? One that would help them both. Eleanor goes away not looking back and off to college.

The book is well written, the characters strong, McCrea only sees business which can cost him the sweetest girl. You will understand more about it when you read about his family, although his brother is a sweety. I hope there will be a follow up!

Book Blast: Contemporary Romance 14 books 99 Pennies

14 steamy Summertime stories for only $.99! Available on Amazon / Nook / iBooks / Kobo WANTED By Evelyn Adams Billionaire developer Luke Master and his wife Claire are used to controlling both their boardrooms and their smoking hot bedroom. The arrival of their baby six months ago changed everything, and the tiny love of their lives has reset the new parent's agenda, leaving them in need of some serious alone time. An unexpected island adventure complete with a trusted babysitter is the perfect opportunity to reignite the fire between them, but have the last few months chasing after the baby left them on different continents, or are they finally in sight of having everything they've ever wanted? 
  OVER IT By Christine Bell Boxer, Robbie “Sledgehammer” Stevens, has always been a loner, and he likes it that way. When he gets a chance to travel to Monaco for the bout of his career, he’s one-hundred percent focused on nabbing the win…until he runs into the girl that got away. And she’s hell-bent on showing him what he’s been missing the past few years… Mellissa Halpern never got over her high school boyfriendRobbie, but his cheating ways nearly broke her the first time around. When a once in a lifetime Spring Break trip brings them face to face again, she can’t help trying to exact a little revenge. But will her efforts to make Robbie pay for hurting her wind up costing far more than she ever imagines? 
SINGAPORE FLING By Rhian Cahill Carly has lusted after her boss for months and while on a business trip to Singapore she throws caution to the wind and suggests a fling. But Saxon Grant isn’t the conservative businessman she expected. Their passion is overwhelming and beyond anything she’s ever experienced. A weekend of red-hot sex is too much temptation to refuse, but once Saxon gets his hands on Carly he knows a couple days will never be enough. Months of wanting her explode into a weekend of tangled sheets and twisted emotions. 
MAD ABOUT MEG By Mari Carr She’d never been lucky in love…until she met him. If it weren't for bad luck, Meg Williams wouldn't have any luck at all. As if traveling to a tropical island onValentine's weekend in a nasty storm isn't bad enough, she's doing it alone after finding her boyfriend in bed with another woman. Enduring the trip from hell, she arrives on Eden Isle only to discover that her hotel reservation has been lost and there are no vacancies anywhere on the island. Disheartened, Meg heads for the hotel bar. Rob Madison is used to being in the limelight due his wealth and power. Used to being pursued by women for his fortune. When he meets Meg and realizes she doesn't know who he is, he decides to spend the evening as a regular guy. Discovering she doesn’t have a place to stay, he offers to share his penthouse with her. As the night progresses and their mutual attraction becomes apparent, Meg wonders if her luck has turned, whileRob wonders if one weekend in each other's arms will be enough… 
BEACH BLANKET BRIDESMAID By Margo Bond Collins For as long as Ava can remember, she’s had a crush on her older brother’s best friend, Grant. When Grant wentoff to college to become a petroleum engineer and Ava stayed behind in Necessity, Texas, to wait tables at The Chargrill and take care of her grandmother, she figured he was out of her life for good. One New Year’s fling when he was home visiting eighteen months ago didn’t really change that. But now Ava’s brother is getting married in Antigua, and she and Grant are the only guests. She can accept thatGrant doesn’t want anything serious. The only problem? He’s realized that walking out on her after New Year’s was a mistake, and now he wants her. All Ava wants is one wild island fling before she settles back down in Necessity. And she wants it with Grant. But she may have choose between right now and forever. 
THE WALK OF SHAME By Jennifer Dawson The walk of shame. Ah, yes, there’s nothing quite like shamelessly letting yourself be dragged off to a storage closet by a younger man to really put the cherry on top of your humiliation sundae. It’s been along, slow trip to the bottom, but I’ve finally reached my limit. After spending the night with ChristopherFellows, and slinking out of his apartment in the wee hours of the morning, I have no choice but to take a serious look at myself. It’s time for a change. A real life overhaul, full of self-development,healthy living, and all that other stuff that’s supposed to be good for you. And what better way to find yourself than with a vow of celibacy and a trip to Belize? The way I figure it, if you’re going to get your act together, you might as well begin with a tropical jaunt to paradise to start your transformation off on the rightfoot. What could go wrong… YOURS TO TAKE By Cathryn Fox Against her better judgement, Rebecca Andrews accepts her friend's invitation to an exclusive vacation resort. When her charter plane veers off course, the last person she expects to see piloting the craft is Quinn Montgomery—multi-millionaire and CEO of Montgomery Charters—the powerful man she once took down in the court room. One year ago, when attorney Rebecca Andrews swept into the courtroom and took control, it turned Quinn Montgomery’s world upside down. Now, seeing her name on his manifest, old memories are awakened, not of the hard-nosed lawyer who had far too many tricks up her sleeve, but of the sensual woman who spouted legal jargon from full pouting lips. Taking note of her destination, a posh vacation resort that caters to the more...private entertainment, a plan forms, and Quinn decides it's time to show the sexy lawyer a few tricks of his own. Nor did she expect to find herself pseudo-kidnapped and stranded with him on his private island. She can leave, but when he tells her he wants to show her that real control comes in the form of surrender, Rebecca has two choices—run home to her boring life, or put herself in the hands of the commanding man who promises to give her everything she's ever wanted in exchange for total and utter submission. 
PLAYING DOCTOR By Allison Gatta High-powered executive Felicia Webb went on the company retreat to Hawaii for one reason: To win over her new boss. Well, that and to finally score the promotion she’s had her eye on for a solid two years now. Still, grabbing the boss’ attention may be easier said than done when a freak accident forces her into the hospital…and the arms of the handsome doctor hell-bent on showing her just how screwed up her priorities are. Trey Patterson is determined to live a life without complications. Now that he’s moved away from the big city and settled on the laid back island of Oahu, he’s made some pretty big changes to his life—the biggest of which is his new no-dating policy. Still, when a fiery redhead practically falls into his lap, it’s all he can do to control his anything-but-hands-off urges. 
CAN'T HOLD BACK By Molly McLain Off to their honeymoon in exotic Cabo, Dan and Maddie Hudson are eager to explore the intimacy of newly wedded bliss. Unfortunately, what Maddie craves most is beyond her no-nonsense husband’s comfort zone. Will her secret desires bring an early end to their happily ever after? Or will Dan stay true to his vows and be the man his wife needs? 
ROCK, RATTLE, & ROLL By Taryn Elliott & Cari Quinn Loving in fast forward... Love on the fast track has been the definition of Harper and Deacon McCoy's relationship. In between studio sessions with Deacon's band, Oblivion, and building a new clientele for Harper's catering business, the newlyweds haven't had time to sleep let alone have a honeymoon. Deacon convinces Harper that they need a week alone together before her business as well as a new album and tour swallows them whole. Since Texas has always held special meaning for them, they head to Galveston to recharge and remember what it's like to just be a couple. A beachfront cottage, hours of alone time, and plenty of skin on skin action is just what the rock star ordered. Until the future once again comes much quicker than they expected, threatening to crumble not only their perfect honeymoon but also their brand new marriage. BILLIONAIRE BEACH BUM By Katherine Reid Tropical nights. Beautiful views. Killer beaches. After social worker Hayley Nelson witnesses the murder of an abused wife by her psycho husband, she’s immediately put into protective custody by her FBI agent brother. Then the killer puts a hit out on her life. Hayley's in more danger than ever--especially as the trial date moves closer. Her brother transfers Hayley to a beautiful hotel on a small island off the California coast. She the only guest on the beautiful property and It would be perfect, except for one small problem. Logan Greyson. The billionaire playboy had once professed to love her, but kept secrets from Hayley. Big secrets. Like being a freaking billionaire. ButLogan wants to earn her forgiveness and rekindle their passion. But their reunion is short-lived. A tropical tempest rolls in, bringing with it the man who wants Hayley dead. As the storm rages and the killer attacks, Hayley and Logan must rely on each other to survive. And Logan will protect the woman he loves--no matter the cost. 
THE BILLIONAIRE'S BEACH HOUSE By Gina Robinson Their relationship is off to a stormy start... THE PERKS OF HAVING A BEST FRIEND WHO'S MARRIED TO A BILLIONAIRE... Flashionista fashion buyer Britt West is trying to land the deal of her career with multi-millionaire Eli Davis' trendy menswear company Hott Socks. But Eli refuses to do business with her. To take Britt’s mind off him, her best friend gives her an exotic vacation package for a getaway off the coast of Fiji. She heads to a private beach house sitting just off-shore of its own tropical island, in a coral reef, and featuring a completely underwater fantasy master suite. It’s the perfect place to relax and unwind alone. Until Eli, who's as hot as his socks, ends up stranded with her in paradise. As a storm brews on the horizon, the question is—will it make land? Or will Britt land Mr. Hott Socks? The Billionaire's Beach House is part of the Jet City Billionaires world, which presents romantic stories full of humor, laughs, secrets, mysteries, and love. And hot, hot, single billionaires. Also in the Jet City Billionaires world are the Billionaire Duke and the Switched at Marriage series. Take a vacation with the Jet City Billionaires! 
SHIP WRECKED By Willow Summers Hawaii’s great and all, but the only reason I’m here is so my co-workers can tie me to the sinking ship that is our department. I know how to sell, but it’ll be impossible with the shoddy presentation I’m forced to do. When it doubt – drink it away! I’ve never been lucky, have I mentioned that? So of course it’s when I’m knee-deep in hot mess that I meet Mr. Handsome. He throws me a smile, and a line, and my bad mood evaporates like tequila on hot cement. Dream come true, right? If only. Instead he breaks my fall with his crotch as I tip off the bar stool. Worse still, his buddy is the big shot COO of the accountI’m trying to get. With the odds stacked against me, I’m better off steering clear. I know this. But oh man, that smile. This weekend was supposed to be about work. I was supposed to ward off men with my snarly attitude. But then, who could say no to that smile… 
CHERISHED BY THE SEAL By Zoe York A hot bride, an island honeymoon, and a suitcase full of bikinis. So what if he’s not the groom? Navy SEAL Logan Dwyer has been Victoria Fletcher’s best friend since second grade, and has had a hopeless, secret crush on her for at least half his life. When she's left at the altar, and decides to salvage her honeymoon as something just for herself, Victoria is surprised when Logan volunteers to come with her for seven days on the Caribbean island of Miralinda. And seven hot, unexpected nights. Reader Prize - $50 Amazon Gift Card Fill out the form below to Enter a Rafflecopter giveaway Follow the Tour

Guest Post: It's Not Your Journey by Rebecca Lombardo

In her first published work, Rebecca Lombardo collects her internationally followed blog into the pages of It's Not Your Journey. Rebecca shares her struggles with bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, self-injury, and recovery from a suicide attempt. Rebecca candidly reveals her real and raw feelings on these subjects, as well as addressing other issues that have contributed to her downward spiral and eventual climb out of her own pit of despair. Issues such as the loss of her mother to lung cancer, the death of her brother, abandonment from friends and family members due to her hospitalization, and more. Purchase on Amazon 

 I'm 43 years old and have been happily married for nearly 15 years. I enjoy reading, writing, music, watching movies and sports. I live in Michigan with my husband and our cats. At age 19, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I have struggled with mental illness in many forms for more than 20 years. I'm a published author, bipolar blogger, and a mental health advocate. In addition, I am about to become a contributor for the Huffington Post.

Follow Rebecca
Facebook / Twitter / Blog / Website / Amazon

Giveaway - $20 Amazon Gift Card, Bookmark,
and a paperback copy of It's Not Your Journey. Open to US residents ONLY. Fill out the form below to enter
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                                     Guest Post:

My Recovery from Self-injury 

Recovery means many different things to many different people.  It’s a very difficult and personal journey. Not everyone is strong enough to realize they need help, let alone know what to do once they get it.  You often hear people speaking about a place called “Rock Bottom.” The consensus is that to help yourself, you have to realize when you’ve hit the bottom.  Some people take years to get to that point.  Some people never get there.  I’m grateful to say that I am one of those that beat the odds.  I hit that bottom, and I hit it hard.  The most difficult thing I’ve ever had to do was make my way back up. 

I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of 19. I started taking medication at that time and still do at 43.  I’ve always been realistic about my condition.  Having attempted to exist without medications, I know that they are a necessary evil.  If I stop taking them, it doesn’t take long for me to fall into a deep, dark depression.  If the physical symptoms of withdrawal don’t kill me first.  

I’m logical enough to understand that I will never fully recover from bipolar disorder, and I’m OK with that.  Some people have to take medication for the rest of their lives for diabetes or heart disease.  So, I don’t burden myself with the thought of getting better.  Don’t get me wrong, I am always trying to improve myself and the way that I feel, but I know that there is no cure for bipolar disorder.  

In my late 20’s I made the mistake of thinking that I might not want to be around anymore.  My depression was beginning to take over my life.  Even relatively normal heartaches seem to affect me much greater than the average person.  I was experiencing migraines that started at the age of 12.  The older I got, the worse they got.  I felt like I had lost complete control over my life, so I was going to try to kill myself.  I was using an old razor, and when I didn’t receive the desired effect, I kept going.  Eventually, I stopped thinking about dying and starting to experience what could only be described as calm.  I had no idea that this was “a thing”.  My mind just kept taking me back to the thought that I was such a failure at life, I couldn’t even commit suicide correctly. 

Eventually, self-injury became a huge part of my life.  I had rituals, songs I played, an entire box of instruments, and a safe place to hide them.  One night, I made a mistake and went too far.  I couldn’t possibly confess to my parents what I was doing, so I did the only thing I thought I could. I called my then (abusive) boyfriend, and asked him for help.  He drove me to his sister’s house because she had once studied to be a medical assistant.  Sitting at her dining room table, she stitched up my arm, with no sanitation and no numbing solution for the pain.  

As I got a little older, self-injury wasn’t necessarily as important to me, but it was always in the back of my mind.  I was humiliated when I would date, and the guy would see my scars.  I was covered with them.  In May of 2001, I officially started dating the man that would become my husband.  He was extremely supportive, but just as confused as anyone else was.  He didn’t understand that I was already beating myself up enough; I didn’t need him to get mad at me for the behavior.  Eventually, we started working through it, and my urges were much less frequent.  



In fact, I went five years without an incident until 2013.  

Despite the fact that self-injury was no longer a big piece of my life, I still kept some instruments hidden in our house.  When my life went into a full-on tailspin that June, it was the only thing I could think about. Truthfully, once I started again, I was so depressed that I didn’t care if I died.  I just wanted the pain to stop.  With each pass over my skin, I felt a myriad of emotions.  Failure, fear, guilt, and even a small amount of relief.  I couldn’t stop sobbing, and eventually I must have cried myself to sleep because I woke up some time later to my doorbell ringing. My husband had called my family from work and sent my dad and my sister over.  At that point, I was the only one that knew I had also swallowed a full bottle of medication.  

I was admitted to the hospital, and later I was committed by the state.  It was the worst experience I have ever had in my entire life.  It was a horrible, horrible facility.  I played the game and was a model patient.  After four days, they let me out. Driving home from that hellhole with my husband, I swore I would never take another sharp instrument to my skin again.  I pushed all of my past failures to the side. I started a clean slate.  I developed my own coping skills, and I started writing.  I wrote a lot.  It began as a blog but has become a book.  I am proud to say that I’m now a published author.  My book is available on Amazon! I still can’t seem to wrap my head around that! 

Don’t get me wrong, I still have urges.  They may never go away.  However, I know now how to put a voice to my feelings and communicate with my loved ones.  I’m now just shy of three years clean.  I’m proud of the changes I’ve made in my life.  Of course I wish I had found an easier way to get in this direction.  I wish I could take back all of the pain I caused, but I don’t focus on that anymore.  I’m trying my hardest to focus on the here and now.  I’m getting stronger every day. I’m sharing my story with anyone that will listen in hopes that I can help erase the stigma surrounding mental illness. I consider myself an advocate for mental health, and I truly feel like people can learn from my experiences. Whether you’re struggling with bipolar disorder, self-harm, a suicide attempt, or severe depression, know that I’ve been there. Take my story as a cautionary tale. Don’t follow my path. Be realistic and use your voice. Tell someone…tell everyone how you feel! You don’t have to suffer in silence. My goal is to help more people see that hurting yourself is never the answer. If you learn anything from me, please know that you are capable of so much more.  

Blog: www.judgmentfreezone2013.blogspot.com
Website: www.rebeccalombardo.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/notyourjourney
Twitter: www.twitter.com/bekalombardo 

Amazon link for the book: http://www.amzn.com/0692509739

Book Blast and Give Away: Building Victoria by M D Cooper

Building Victoria by M.D Cooper

The Intrepid is drifting slowly between the stars. After near calamity at LHS 1565, the ship is headed for Kapteyn's Star to make repairs. There, the crew will need to spend decades building a temporary industrial base. Across the void, the Noctus prepare to leave Sirius for the same destination. Their plan is to colonize the system and forge a new lives for themselves ... if they aren't destroyed by their government first. In an epic tale spanning over a century, General Tanis Richards finds herself in another fight for her life as the new colony of Victoria is built under the threat of interstellar war.

Now Available on Amazon

 

About M.D Cooper:

After years of attempting to write fantasy stories I decided to try my hand at science fiction. I've always been a fan of sci-fi and really took to it. Like many authors, the first book you try to get out doesn't always see the light of day and that original manuscript is still waiting for its time to shine. However, that didn't slow me down, and I have three books released: Outsystem, A Path in the Darkness, and Building Victoria. These books begin the Intrepid Saga, a series of books which follow the crew of a colony ship as they make their way between the stars. The fourth book in the series will be out on November 1, 2016, and the fifth book is already in the works. During the day I am a software engineer at a company which builds sites and services around the open-source CMS named Drupal. I find that starting with a blank canvas and writing code is not that different than writing stories. When not writing stories or code I'm usually my wife and daughter, or doing carpentry--a hobby which I've been growing over the years. My other interests include astronomy, cars and racing, blacksmithing, movies, and just about any creative work one can do. Amazon Author Page | Facebook | Twitter | Website | Aeon 14 | Newsletter

The author is giving away a Malcolm Reynolds Pop Figure!! He's adorable.

giveaway ends 7/21/16 at 11:59 pm EST. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Forgetting Jane by CJ Warrant

Amnesia and an unspeakable crime have stolen everything from Jane Doe except the haunting image of a girl in a yellow dress, which replays itself over and over in her mind.

Small town cop Elias McAvoy is haunted as well, by the crushing guilt he feels over the deaths of two women, one by his own hand. He can’t-he won’t-let Jane down too.

Together they delve deeper into Jane’s case, battling against her memory loss, and an increasingly tangled web of lies and murder that span forty years-and ties Elias and Jane together in ways they never imagined. As the mystery of the girl in the yellow dress unfold, so does Elias and Jane’s love for each other. However, when the killer reappears, intent on finishing what he started, Elias must face his demons in order to save the woman he loves or lose her forever.

Pre-order on Amazon

                                               Review:

Jane is found, badly beaten and close to death, She is rushed to the hospital and Cop Elias is very determine to find what happened to her and keep her safe.Jane has memory loss and is in danger still with her attacker on the loose. She keeps on talking about the girl in the yellow dress a ghost Elias finds out. When more people and himself see her, he has to accept it. Jane and Elias fall in love but if it can hold and if they manage to keep Jane safe? or do they need help? buy the book and find out yourself, I promise it is worth it.

Great book, nice pace, characters are well worked out,real thrill, I figured out who the killer was, but wasn't sure till the last part of the book, really good!!!

July 4th Summer of Reading $150 Amazon GC Giveaway

Welcome to the 4th of July Summer of Reading Giveaway!

The authors below are offering up $150 Amazon Gift Card to you can get your read on!

Please check out the books below, some are Free, Free with KU, or Inexpensive.

Young Adult

New Adult

Sweet Romance

Contemporary Romance

Women's Fiction

Paranormal Romance / Urban Fantasy

Science Fiction

Want to win a $150 Amazon Gift Card? Follow the authors in the rafflecopter below for a chance. Open WW 18+ Ends July 20, 2016 @ 11:59 PM EST

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blast: The Enigmatologist by Ben Adams $.99 sale till July 8

Twenty-something, John Abernathy is disillusioned. His job as a private investigator is unfulfilling, and he can’t find work in his chosen field, Enigmatology, the study and design of puzzles. He is about to quit when the National Enquirer calls. A woman in Las Vegas, New Mexico sent them a photo of someone who’s supposed to have died 35 years ago—Elvis Aaron Presley. And they need John to investigate it. When the Elvis impersonator, Al Leadbelly, is murdered, John investigates, finding Air Force colonel, Alvin Hollister—convinced Leadbelly has information regarding Elvis's death—at the crime scene conducting his own investigation. John discovers great-great-great grandfather's journal—unearthing a conspiracy entwining Elvis, shape-shifting aliens, and Mary Todd Lincoln. When John finds Leadbelly, alive and wearing a sequined jumpsuit, John must help him escape before Colonel Hollister finds him, and discover if Leadbelly is really Elvis, an obsessed fan, or something more. 
Buy for only $.99 on Amazon 
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