Today, HJ is pleased to share with you Marni Mann’s new release: Even if it Hurts
When you have a perfect marriage, only an impossible reconnection could make you risk it all.
Oliver
When I met her, I couldn’t take my eyes off her.
We were so young and so passionate.
We studied business in the day and each other’s bodies at night.
We always knew it would end with the semester, so we loved hard with no regrets.
LANCE
When I met her, I couldn’t get her off my mind.
We were fresh out of college and ready to take on the world.
We fit each other like missing puzzle pieces.
And just when I thought my life was perfect, it got better. She became my wife.
CHLOE
I met my first love while studying abroad in London.
When I moved home, I didn’t think I’d ever fall in love again.
Until I met him. The man who became my husband.
The one I promised a lifetime to.
Then, my first love came back into my life …
And I realized that love was bigger than any one man.
Enjoy an exclusive excerpt from Even if it Hurts
“What can I get you?” the bartender asked, his hands hovering, waiting to reach for one of the bottles.
I gripped the edge of the bar top, holding the cold leather, and said, “Prosecco, please.”
The speakeasy wasn’t too packed tonight, just a steady business crowd filling the main space and the small seating nooks that were like little dens built into the perimeter.
My eyes were falling over the row of wine, studying the labels, when I felt a piece of fabric brush across the side of my arm. I turned just in time to see a dark suit jacket leaving my skin, and with it came a scent. One that was so sharp and demanding—the smell of power if it came in a bottle.
I couldn’t believe how much I liked it.
My gaze traveled higher to the silk tie, the broad shoulders, and the full frame that was at least six-three and all suit. And I found myself holding in my breath as I took in this absolutely gorgeous man with thick black hair and a clean-shaven face, blue eyes so dark that they looked navy.
“Have you ordered?” he asked in a rich, deep voice.
“He’s making mine now.”
It was easy to see there was nothing raw about this man. He had a polished, educated demeanor with a richness that went well beyond the cost of his suit.
He smiled, and I found myself sucked into it, unable to look away. “What’s your name?”
With a stare as invasive as his, one I felt move straight through me, it seemed my name was something he should certainly know at this point.
“Chloe Kennedy.”
He turned his body so he was now facing me, showing me details I hadn’t picked up before—a narrow, angular nose and tiny wrinkles at the sides of his eyes. His hand reached forward, and when it surrounded mine, he said, “Lance Hamilton.”
“Here’s your Prosecco,” the bartender said, and from the corner of my eye, I saw him set down the glass.
“Add that to my tab, and I’ll take a scotch,” Lance said with his eyes on me.
I knew my cheeks were blushing, and it wasn’t because he was paying for the drink. “You don’t have to do that.”
“I can’t let a beautiful woman like yourself pay for her own drink.” His eyes narrowed. “Unless there’s someone else here who should be buying it?”
“No.” I shook my head. “Only you.”
My hand was still in his, gripped in a shake that I felt all the way up to my shoulder, across my chest, and down to my other hand that was clenching the cold glass of champagne.
My comment seemed to make his smile grow, and he held my hand for a second longer before releasing me.
“I was just coming to find you,” Molly said, startling me, her arm then snaking around my waist. “Looks like Lance found you instead.”
I glanced at my best friend, knowing Lance could hear us. “You know him?”
“I work with Marshall,” Lance said before Molly could reply, and he leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. “Nice to see you, Molly.”
She grinned at him. “You too.”
He hadn’t been part of the group Molly and Marshall introduced me to when we first arrived, nor had I seen him at any of the parties I attended with her. If I’d met Lance before, I wouldn’t have forgotten.
“I’ll see you back at the table,” she said, her arm leaving my waist, and she gave me a look I knew well. It was one that told me she approved, and then she was gone just as the bartender handed Lance his drink.
“Thank you again,” I said as he handed the bartender his credit card. He held his glass in the air, near mine, smiling.
“To the morning and everything that happens in between.”
I laughed, clicking my Prosecco to his scotch, and it felt like a warmth had crept over me, even before I put my lips to glass and swallowed.
Excerpt. ©Marni Mann. Posted by arrangement with the publisher. All rights reserved.
Giveaway: 1 Signed paperback copy of Even if it Hurts by Marni Mann
To enter Giveaway: Please complete the Rafflecopter form and post a comment to this Q: What did you think of the excerpt spotlighted here? Leave a comment with your thoughts on the book…
Meet the Author:
Best-selling Author Marni Mann knew she was going to be a writer since middle school. While other girls her age were daydreaming about teenage pop stars, Mann was fantasizing about penning her first novel. She crafts sexy, titillating stories that weave together her love of darkness, mystery, passion, and human emotion. A New Englander at heart, she now lives in Sarasota, Florida with her husband and their two dogs who subsequently have been characters in her books. When she’s not nose deep in her laptop working on her next novel, she’s scouring for chocolate, sipping wine, traveling to new locations, and devouring fabulous books.
Connect with Marni:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarniMannAuthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarniMann
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Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/marnimann/
Stay up to Date with Marni by signing up for her mailing list here: http://marnismann.com/about/
http://marnismann.com
Buy Links:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/37rzRCh
Amazon Worldwide: mybook.to/EvenIfItHurtsMM
Apple Books: https://apple.co/35pADxy
Nook: http://bit.ly/2DhnmLr
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2qE95G0
Diana Hardt
I loved the excerpt. It sounds like a really interesting book.
Lilah Chavez
I wished there was a bit more regarding the “first love” . Don’t get me wrong there’s chemistry with lance.
Mary Preston
I love the whole premise. The cover is great too.
erahime
Well…how intriguing. Makes me wonder how it will turn out…
lyn212
Sound interesting. Looking into more details.
Jennifer Shiflett
It sounds really good!
gemiinii90
This book has been on my radar for a while, and the excerpt has me even more intrigued to read it.
Thank you for the giveaway.
– Betul
Pamela Conway
Love the excerpt, looking forward to reading it.
Lori R
I liked it!
Debra Guyette
Thanks for the wonderful excerpt. I enjoyed it.
janinecatmom
This book sounds interesting. I enjoyed the excerpt.
Juli Huber Hall
The excerpt has me wanting more, I need to read this book.
Lea Jerančič
Sounds interesting!
hartfiction
It had me at “only you.” 😉
Latifa Morrisette
Sounds very intriguing
Joy Avery
Really want to read this book!
Nancy Jones
Enjoyed the excerpt,
isisthe12th
Even if it Hurts sounds like a good read. Thank you
Mari Ann
It sounds so good!
Amy R
Sounds good
bn100
Is there cheating?
Pammie R.
Sounds interesting!
Daniel M
sounds like a fun one
Teresa Warner
Enjoyed now I want to read more!
dbranigan
Definitely makes me want to read the book. Thanks for sharing.
Kathleen Bylsma
I’m dying to know what happens!
lindamoffitt02
Looks Really Good Sounds like a Great Book Thanks for Sharing this with us
Lori Byrd
Sounds really good
Charlotte Litton
Sounds really good.
Anna Nguyen
sounds so good. i love marni mann.
BookLady
Great excerpt and cover! I’d love to read more.
Katrina Dehart
Sounds good! Love Marnie Mann books!
Shannon Capelle
Sounds like a beautiful story!
Nancy P
This book sounds very fascinating.
Linda Woodfin
Sounds interesting.
[email protected]
Loved it .Can’t wait to read this.
Linda Herold
Sounds like a book that I’d like to read!
Irma
Oh, it’s already on my TBR list. I’m so excited to read it.
Terrill R.
Not enough to go by, but the blurb sounds good.