WILD Release ~ Steam Up Your Holiday!

Title: Wild

Author: Adriane Leigh

Expected Release Date: December 13, 2013

Genre: Erotic Romance

Hosted by: Love Between the Sheets

About the Book

Kat Kennedy moved to the rugged coast of Maine to start a new life, but encountered much more than she bargained for in dark, dangerous, and seductive Lane Wild… 

Desire and temptation smolder before she succumbs to her darkest fantasies with the captivating stranger. She doesn't expect to see him again after an explosive one-night stand leaves her breathless and craving more, but just like lightning in the darkness, he shows up in her life at the most unpredictable moments. A sensual game of cat and mouse ensues before the attraction between them reaches a fever pitch—the magnetism combustible, the sexual tension nearly unbearable—and Kat finally abandons inhibition and explores the cunning, selfish, and sexual side of a world she's never known. They have the perfect non-relationship—passion-fueled nights with no strings attached—until lifegets real and the past and present collide in a dangerous storm of lust and obsession.

For a Preview of the Prologue 

(included in the cover reveal), 

click here.

My Thoughts:

     Now I'm not sure if y'all have cottoned on... but I've become a BIG fangirl of Adriane's books.  I'll admit, it was a rocky start for me with the Lace series (but that is another story all together) but then once I read the Mourning series- that was it.  Adriane has me as a rabid, auto-buy fan after that series; she caught me hook, line, and sinker.  So, once I found out about this new HOT romance... and let's face it, just look at that cover, I was chomping at the bit to sink my teeth into Wild.

     I suppose not every book is going to please everybody equally - although, don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed Wild, but I didn't love it with the passion of a thousand suns like I did with the Mourning series.  Was I fanning myself despite the low temperatures outside?  YES!  On just the hotness scale (from one to ten) Wild goes to an '11'.  Maybe even 11½.  Shoot, there might not be enough numbers to describe how your panties could spontaneously combust into flames.  Despite all this scorching across the pages... have no fear, there is not some raunchy *boom*chicka*bow-wow* background track to the book (well, not loudly, anyway.)

     I think some of my reservations reside in the characters.  Now, usually I love me some alpha, bad boy 'player' in my fictional books... and I've read some SERIOUS alpha stuff in my day.  But Lane Wild had to grow on me... he's got 'alpha' and 'player' and 'bad boy' in SPADES I tell you!  But somehow, I had trouble trusting that there was that underlying heart of gold. He's one of those 'GREAT on paper in a fictional story' but put him in a room with me in real life, and I'd likely be alternating between climbing him like some brauny mountain and scratching his face off.  And Kat... dig that she was a redhead (I have some serious unresolved jealousy issues about my mother's red hair that she did NOT pass on to me), I understood the reasoning behind her 'issues' and why it made her react the way she did... but I just was having a harder time getting really comfortable with them.  I didn't dislike them, but I would be bosom buddies with them, either.  Maybe it's just simple jealously of how darned hot they are together!

     Overall: It's like taking a Nicholas Sparks romance, and mixing in an erotic film (notice I said erotic, and NOT porn.)

I received an ARC from Adriane Leigh in exchange for an unbiased review.

About the Author

Adriane Leigh was born and raised in a snowbank in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and now lives amongst the sand dunes of the Lake Michigan lakeshore. She graduated with a Literature degree but never particularly enjoyed reading Shakespeare or Chaucer. Adriane is married to a tall, dark and handsome guy, plays mama to two sweet baby girls, and is a voracious reader and knitter.

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For only $0.99 (SPECIAL RELEASE PRICE) you, too, can steam up your holiday season!  

Oh, yes, there will be melting!

Switch Holiday Party Blog Tour + Giveaway!

Switch by Janelle Stalder

Description:

All’s fair in love and war.

Two thirds of the world's population has been wiped out, devastated by the worst war earth has ever seen. Still standing amongst the ruins is a mind reader who finds herself on the wrong side of the war. Everyone does what they must to survive. When the rebels bent on bringing down the New World leader start to rise up, it is her job to make sure they stay down where they belong. That is, until one rebel sneaks past her defenses and into her heart. Love will blossom from the ashes, but will it be enough to save them, or will it mean the end of them both?




Review:
Here is my original review (written amidst reading Switch during the blog tour- original post here):

I have to admit, I'm still reading this.  Life popped up, as it often does, and threw a wrench in my reading schedule.  But, I stayed up WAY past my bedtime, and with a catnap of a good night's sleep, finished today.  The end is a near dizzy pace, and am I even surprised by the end at this point?  I think not.

I really enjoyed the ensemble cast, how worlds collided, crap hit the fan, and there seemed a (less than) 5 degrees of separation between the survivors (both in charge, and the population being pushed down 'by the man'.)  I was engaged and eager to finish, especially to see the wild tangles of stories get finally woven together into one.  While the mechanics and history of the 'New World' is left somewhat ambiguous, my inner rebel was wanting to start a battle against both 'the man' and 'the rebels'.  Somehow, a line from Romeo and Juliet comes to mind, "All are punished."  That describes both sides of the fight- they are both power hungry, and flawed, and cold, and neither will provide a worthwhile future.

There are a moments that didn't work for me... well, I guess a better word would be tone.  I felt, especially in the beginning when we are still somewhat disoriented as to where the book is, geographically; the dialect, colloquialisms, slang, and other phrases didn't give a sense (even post-switch) of the region like I felt it should.  After about a third of the book, they do appear more often, but I still wish I got to see a little more lovely 'accent'.

One thing that I do have to give kudos to- I never react how I expect I would to certain characters.  Like you think 'rebels' and I get visions of Luke in a storm trooper outfit, and Lando in his cape, and the Princess with her matching bun earwarmers... all happy things.  But when it comes to this war, except for a few key players, I'm just against the war all together.  Dammed either way it seems- between a rock and a hard place.  I think I need some rose colored glasses to make me see the hope.  Maybe some Ewokes, too.  Although the male hotness does help.  

Overall, 4 BadAss stars and a smidgen extra!

*I received a free copy of Switch in exchange for an unbiased review*

And now that I've completely finished Switch and a beta read of Masked (book #2), here are my thoughts:

Well... shoot.  This was going to just be about Switch, but I have book #2 just running amok in my head.  So, how about things that I just ADORE about this series, and Janelle Stalder as a writer?  
• She does fabulous ensemble cast books.  Even people that are 'not nice' (or let's face it, downright evil) end up being favorite characters (well, there is an exception to every rule.)
• From all my previous readings (of Janelle's work) being YA (her Eden series)... she has found that line to walk that can be oh-so-hot without devolving into straight out porn.  I love those spicy moments, and am cheering her adult writing on!
• I feel in this new series, there is a little bit of a 1st book in series syndrome.  It only goes up, and gets stronger from Switch, and even Switch still gets a rock-solid rating of 4♥'s from me.
• Her endings can be a bit cliffy, and that's OK.  Often, I'll rail against authors that continually give us evil cliffhangers (Fever series, anyone?) but somehow... I'm OK with hers.  Can't fully explain why, but I'm not rabid and angry.  It seems like it needs to end like that.

... and in regard to my last paragraph of my 'original' review- trust me.  There IS hope.  Really, against all odds... there is.

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About the Author:

Janelle Stalder was born and raised in Brampton, Ontario. At an early age she developed a love for literature. Her debut novel, Eden, was the first book in a series of four, released in September of 2011. The second book, Eden-West, was released in July of 2012, and the third book, Eden-South was released in March of 2013. The fourth book of the Eden Series, Eden-East, will be release at the end of 2013. She is a strong supporter of other independent authors, and loves to interact with her readers. When she's not writing, Janelle is at home with her husband, two children, Aiden and Elora, and her two furry children, Alice and Lily. She now resides in the small town in Ontario in her old, possibly haunted, century home.

Social Links:  
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This Holiday Party Blog tour is being run in conjunction with the 

4th annual Holiday Party in Erotic Enchants on goodreads.com.  

Check out the entire schedule of the 18 Holiday Party Blog Tour stops & participating bloggers HERE.

Join the party and win from a prize pool of over 1,500 books and prizes by these generous authors!

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Changing Course Cover Reveal!

Title: Changing Course (Wrecked and Ruined #1)

Author: Aly Martinez

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Expected Release Date: January 29, 2014

Cover Designer: Ashbee Designs

Add to Goodreads

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18753789-changing-course

Synopsis

I met Sarah Kate Erickson when I was 21 years old. I was lucky enough to keep her for seven years before a tragic accident stole her from me. She didn’t die, but sometimes I think it would have been easier if she had.

I lived in a haze for those four years after the accident. Catering to her every need, even though she hated the very sight of my face. I tried to hold on to her and the future that we were supposed to build together. But you can’t hold on to someone that doesn’t exist anymore.

It wasn’t until I met Jesse Addison, a barista at the local coffee shop, that I realized I didn’t just lose Sarah that tragic night, I lost myself as well. Jesse taught me how to let go of the past and learn to love again. But what happens when your past haunts your present and the woman you used to love refuses to accept the woman you can’t live without?

**Intended for readers 18+. Each book in this series can be read as a standalone.**

Prologue

"Sarah, don't do this. Damn it! Stay with me." I reach over and gently brush her blood soaked hair off her forehead. Even in this horrific moment, I'm in absolute awe of how beautiful she looks. Bleeding and broken, unmoving in my arms she is still the most mesmerizing woman I have ever laid eyes on. Deep down, I know this just the husk of my wife. My Sarah would never have done this to herself. More importantly, she never would have done this to me. Maybe it takes this level of madness, but I finally realize that I have lost her completely. Whether she lives or dies, Sarah is gone. This is not the woman who made me laugh more in seven years than the rest of my life combined. She definitely isn't the woman who I spent years planning a future with, a future that now no longer exists. I feel a heavy weight in my chest at my silent confession, but oddly enough I also feel a weight lifted off my shoulders. I have watched this woman disintegrate in front of my eyes for almost seven months; everyday losing her a little more. The light in her eyes fading, while piece by piece and bit by bit, she lost grip of reality. Mentally, emotionally, and now physically, she's left me. My Sarah died seven months ago on her way home from dinner, and I will never see her walk back into my life. Suddenly, I can't breathe. I'm terrified, and not only because Sarah might finally succeed in taking her own life. I'm paralyzed by the realization that my life is spiraling down in a free fall headed straight for misery and the only thing I can think to do is anchor myself to this dying woman. I love Sarah with all my heart, but I am clinging not to the woman in my arms but rather to the life I thought we were going to have together. I have to accept that she isn't there anymore. Her heart might still be beating but the bloody, confused, emotionally lost woman I am holding now is only the shell of my first and only love. "Where the fuck is that ambulance!" I yell as loud as my cracking voice will allow. Stroking the little bit of her unmarred skin that I'm able to reach, I whisper in her ear, "Hang on baby." Then I repeat the one sentence I have said almost daily since the tragic event that stole her from me. Maybe I say it for her, maybe just for me, but I know it is the biggest lie I have ever uttered. "Just hang on baby, it's all going to be okay."

About the Author

I’m a 32 year old wife and stay at home mom to four kids under the age of five, including a set of twins. My life is crazy, which is probably why I drink entirely too much wine. Oh who am I kidding, I had a love affair with wine long before the kids came along. I was born and raised in Savannah Georgia, but we recently moved to Chicago. Let me tell you, this southern girl was not ready for the cold weather up here! I’m an avid reader, but I haven’t always been that way. A few years ago my sister loaned me her Nook Color, and it changed my life forever. In the span of about two years, I read over 500 books. My newfound love of reading led me to start a book blog with two of my best friends. (Insert shameless plug here: WhiteZinBookends.com). Through WZ Bookends, I've had the opportunity to meet some of the most amazing authors, bloggers, and readers out there. Now that I have taken the leap into writing my own book, they’ve all shown me endless amounts of encouragement and support. While driving home from Walmart one day in late October, a story embedded itself in my head and would not let go. It spiraled out of control until I finally opened my laptop and started writing. This journey has been a wild ride filled with tears, hand cramps, and tons of laughs. I love company, so follow me at one of the social links below and join me aboard this crazy train!  

Connect with Aly

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Email | Goodreads

Giveaway

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FIVE ARCs of DARKEST DAY by Emi Gayle Giveaway!

J. Taylor Publishing are giving away FIVE ARCs of Darkest Day by Emi Gayle!

Check it out!

Mac Thorne’s time as a Changeling is coming to an end. It may have taken eighteen years, but Mac did finally manage to do what the Council wanted: she chose a teacher and renounced the in-between. There’s just one last step. She must say goodbye to her human. Forever. After being challenged in every way possible, Mac leaves what she thought would be the easiest task for the last possible moment. As midnight on July fourth draws near, though, she hasn’t found a way to give up Winn Thomas. Nor does she want to. With time running out, Mac stands at a literal crossroads. Choose Winn, and she’ll be stripped of the only family she’s ever known — vampires, dragons, and her favorite demon. Even her own mother. Accept her position on the Council and rule as an equal to her twelve peers, and she’ll forget Winn ever existed. Independence and freedom have never before been so limiting. In this final chapter of the 19th Year Trilogy, it’s time for Mac to decide. Responsibility? Or Love?

DARKEST DAY is the third installment in the 19^th Year Trilogy, featuring Changeling Mac Thorne and her hot-geeky boyfriend Winn Thomas. And J. Taylor Publishing is giving away FIVE ARC copies.

To YOU!

You don’t even have to be a book blogger!

Nope, so long as you are willing to leave an honest review between the dates December 23^rd 2013 – January 6^th 2014, you are eligible to enter.

Interested?

Then just fill out the form and keep your fingers crossed.

Enter Here!

~~~~~

Other books in the series: About Emi Gayle: Emi Gayle just wants to be young again. She lives vicariously through her youthful characters, while simultaneously acting as chief-Mom to her teenaged son and searching for a way to keep her two daughters from ever reaching the dreaded teen years. Ironically, those years were some of Emi's favorite times. She met the man of her dreams at 14, was engaged to him at 19, married him at 20 and she's still in love with him to this day. She'll never forget what it was like to fall in love at such a young age — emotions she wants everyone to feel.

Cherry Girl Release Week Tour + Giveaway!

Elaina Morrison has loved Neil McManus her whole life. She doesn’t remember a time when she didn’t love him. Through heartbreaking tragedy and years of separation, her love holds true…until life stomps all over her heart, shattering her perfect dream, teaching her how hard it is to let go.

Real life doesn’t have anything on romantic dreams though, as these two have learned repeatedly. It sucks big time, leaving painful scars in its wake. 

But Neil isn’t giving up. He’s endured years of longing and sacrifice to wait for her. Always a soldier, he knows his way around a battlefield, and winning Elaina is no different. So that’s precisely what Neil is going to do. He'll go in fighting, and make Elaina see what he already knows.

That she will forever be his Cherry Girl…

Then Neil smiled at me.  His entire beautiful face lighting up from his eyes to his chin.  My guy looked really happy.  My guy.  I have a guy.  Neil.  Neil McManus is my man now.

Christmas and my birthday had come to me early this year, and both at the same time apparently.

Then I watched him get up from the bed and head into his bathroom.  I heard the shower turn on and then the opening and closing of cupboards.  He returned a few moments later with a big towel to wrap around me, and said he’d left me a shirt and some shorts I could wear after my shower if I liked.  He told me he would be in the kitchen setting up the coffeemaker for the morning, and then he left the bedroom and closed the door.

I stayed in Neil’s bed for another moment and did my best to take everything in.  I was definitely a mess on the outside, but inside where my heart still thwacked out a beat, I was absolutely floating around cloud nine.

He loved me.  Neil really loved me, but damn if I’d allow him to kiss me again before I got clean and comfortable.  I felt utterly gross and hideous and still had trouble processing all that had just happened with us in the span of a very few hours.

I left his bed and headed into the bathroom.  The shower was already hot and steaming up the small space.  As promised he’d set out his toothbrush and paste for me to use, and even some silky boxers and a soft black T-shirt with The Jimi Hendrix Experience in white letters across the front.

I knew Neil was a Hendrix fan and I’d even seen him wearing this very shirt on occasion, and yet the fact he’d picked it out for me in particular, touched me.  I reached for it and buried my face in its softness, inhaling deeply.  Neil’s scent has always been heavenly to me and I’d been addicted to it for years.  Hard to describe, but absolutely lush on my sensibilities.  Like fresh air and forest spice and pure water all combined into the perfect blend of male fragrance.

And I’d been restricted from indulging in it for most of my life.  But not anymore.

I shut the bathroom door, stripped out of my bra and knickers, and got clean in my boyfriend’s shower.  I so loved the words contained in that thought.

I’m sure I wore a ridiculous grin on my face the whole time I scrubbed.  Once I was done in his shower and working out my teeth with his own personal toothbrush, I still kept grinning into the mirror like an idiot, glad the door was shut and Neil couldn’t see how much of a lovesick fool I was being right now.  Pointless indeed.  He would know it the moment I stepped out anyway.  He probably already did know it.

I left the bathroom dressed in his T-shirt and silky boxer shorts.  Better than naked in a towel or my puked-spotted clothes and really sexy to have my skin against things that had been against his previously.

His shirt came down to the top of my thighs and I’d already decided I was keeping the thing.  Yeah, Neil’s beloved Hendrix shirt would forever belong to me.  I had absolutely no qualms about my thievery either.  I didn’t want to have to be without the scent of him once his leave was over.  I wouldn’t have him for long before he had to go back to being owned by the British Army in Afghanistan.  That meant his shirt wasn’t getting washed anytime soon.  If ever.

My inner ramblings distracted me to the point I wasn’t thinking about what might be waiting for me when I came out.  But the sight that greeted me upon my return to the bedroom in nothing but Neil’s shorts and shirt, was not even close to what I expected.  Stopping dead in my tracks, I’m sure my eyes were bugging out of my skull.  The towel I’d been using to dry my hair slid from my grip and onto the floor with a soft thud.

Neil was in his bed, and he was definitely waiting for me.

Holy Hell, he was a beautiful man.  Sitting up against the headboard, he was leaning back, his wide bare chest exposed for my eyes to drink in.  The cuts and angles of his hard muscles and golden skin in contrast to the white sheets nearly made me whimper aloud.  I wanted to touch him so badly and knew there was a very good chance I would be getting my wish soon.

I could see that his nipples were hard, his gaze trained upon me deep with liquidity, mysterious and sensual with a bit of an edge.  I could only imagine what he was thinking about right now.  Sweaty, crazy, naked shagging I’m sure.  I definitely was.

My nipples were hard too, and I felt an involuntary shiver roll down my spine at the thought of Neil putting his hands on them.

I’d seen his body before.  I knew what Neil looked like without his shirt on, and I knew very well about the washboard abs, and how they tapered into a V at his hips that made my insides a quivering mess whenever I was lucky enough to get a decent look at him.  Which happened only on occasion, unfortunately.

Neil was blessed with an earthly form that easily put him into mythical god territory, but I’d never been in a position to allow myself to think of him in that way.  Those times I’d seen him had been when he was working out with Ian or roughing ’round with boys at football or having a swim.

This situation right now was completely different.  Neil was like this for me and for me alone.  He was offering himself to me—his body for my eyes to see, for my hands to touch, and for my lips to kiss.

“You’ve dropped your towel,” he said softly, splaying a hand out over the sheet, making his forearm muscle flex.

“I know.”  I struggled to breathe through the pounding inside my chest and reached down for the towel.

“Leave it.”

Neil’s voice was harder, different—a command really.  I froze in step, flipping my eyes up so I could see his face and understand what he meant.

His long muscled arms were stretched out toward me.  “Come here, beautiful,” he said softly. “Don’t think about anything that scares you right now.  It’s only me…and you.”

I nodded at him but no words would come from my mouth.  All I could do was take in the experience of the moment and try to hear what he was saying to me.

“I want to hold you, and be close, and know that nobody is going to come between us or try to take you away from me. I want you all to myself for once.”  He tilted his head a little.  “Do you understand?”

“I do,” I managed.

Neil kept his arms out, his eyes glittering at me in a way I’d never experienced from him before.  He was demanding from me sure, but that’s not what gave me pause.  The feelings rushing through me were thrilling, but also very frightening at the same time.  My emotions paralyzed me because I really understood, right then and there in that moment, the enormity of what I was doing.  Giving myself over to another person.  Giving myself to Neil.

It made me extremely vulnerable now didn’t it?

I felt the warning kiss of fear brush over my heart as clearly as a cold breeze that makes you rub your own arms in an effort to ward off a shivering chill.

I didn’t know how I’d survive if I lost him now.   If he stopped loving me I wouldn’t be able to bear it.  Or if I lost him to the war, which was a terrifying risk all on its own, and one he took every day he remained in active military service. I’d never make it out intact.  Losing Neil would destroy me after this night.

“Don’t think about the bad things, Elaina.  Let all that go and come to me.  My beautiful Cherry Girl…come over here and let me love you.”

I went.

Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H0KA7GA/ref=as_li_ss_sm_fb_us_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=213733&creative=399837&creativeASIN=B00H0KA7GA&linkCode=shr&tag=beccathebibli-20&qid=1385848924&sr=8-5&keywords=cherry+girl+raine+miller

Amazon CA: http://www.amazon.ca/Cherry-Blackstone-Affair-Raine-Miller-ebook/dp/B00H0KA7GA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385858208&sr=8-1&keywords=Cherry+Girl+Raine+Miller

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cherry-Blackstone-Affair-Raine-Miller-ebook/dp/B00H0KA7GA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385849489&sr=8-1&keywords=Cherry+Girl+%28Blackstone+Affair%29

Raine Miller has been reading romance novels since she picked up that first Barbara Cartland book at the tender age of thirteen. And it's a safe bet she'll never stop, because now she writes them too! Granted Raine's stories are edgy enough to turn Ms. Cartland in her grave, but to her way of thinking, a hot, sexy hero never goes out of fashion. A part-time teacher and writer of sexy romance stories every other chance she gets pretty much fills her days. She has a handsome prince of a husband, and two brilliant sons to pull her back into the real world if the writing takes her too far away. Her sons know she likes to write stories, but gratefully have never asked to read any, thank God! Raine loves to hear from readers and to chat about the characters in her books.

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Ever After of Ella and Micha ~ It's Here + Excerpt!

December 3, 2013; Forever E-Book; $2.99; 978-1-4555-8267-9

The day Ella has waited for is just around the corner. It’s the day she’ll marry Micha, the love of her life. But an unexpected package with a harsh reminder of Ella’s past and a once-in-a-lifetime chance for Micha to tour with his favorite bands threaten to ruin their happily ever after. Now Ella and Micha must find a way to balance their fears, their dreams, and their love…if they ever want to hear wedding bells. 

Buy Links:

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Author Social Media links:

Blog: http://jessicasorensensblog.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jessFallenStar

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jessica-Sorensen/165335743524509

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4601855.Jessica_Sorensen

Author Bio:

The New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Jessica Sorensen, lives in the snowy mountains of Wyoming. When she's not writing, she spends her time reading and hanging out with her family.

 

“Baby, come on. Let them be. They deserve a beautiful wedding not an elopement in a tacky fake church.” Lila glides her hand up the front of his chest, stands on her tiptoes, and kisses his neck. Then she whispers something in his ear as she plays with his hair.

I’ll admit they make a cute couple, especially now that Lila has this whole grunge thing going. Her blond hair is chin length and streaked with black that matches Ethan’s hair. She’s wearing jeans and a tank top that aren’t name brand like everything she used to wear when we were living together. Her style goes well with Ethan’s laidback look: his plaid shirt and faded jeans and a pair of sneakers that he’s probably owned since he was sixteen. And Lila’s average height allows her to nestle her head against Ethan’s chest comfortably. Looking at them with the sunlight and my house in the backdrop, I find myself wishing I had time to draw them.

After a lot of kissing and whispering in Ethan’s ear, Lila convinces him to stop complaining and he begrudgingly agrees that Vegas is a ridiculous idea and that Micha and I should get married in Star Grove.

“A week is not a lot of time to prepare a wedding,” Lila declares, pulling her sunglasses over her eyes. “Not a real one with decorations, flowers, dresses, tuxes, and guests. God, I wish we had more time to plan this.”

“And I wish you wouldn’t take any time to plan it,” I say, and when she frowns I sigh. “Sorry, I’m just not into wedding stuff.” I round the car to the passenger side of the Chevelle, trailing my finger across a few dings and chips in the black paint that were put there when Micha intentionally crashed it into the snow bank.

Micha opens the driver door and steps back so Ethan can climb into the backseat. “It doesn’t matter what kind of wedding we have,” he says, “just as long as Ella’s there with me. In fact, we don’t even need dresses and tuxes. We could even be naked and standing in my backyard and I’d be okay.” He winks at me over the roof of the car. “As long as we’re together, I’ll be happy and being naked would just be an added bonus.”

This makes Lila giggle as she ducks her head and hops into the backseat with Ethan. I push the seat back, get in the car, and shut the door, then pull the visor down to block the sunlight.

Micha adjusts the driver’s seat before he closes the door and starts the engine. “So is everyone ready for this?” He looks around at the three of us, but when his eyes finally land on me I know he only really cares about my answer.

It takes me a second to answer and he notices my hesitation and his expression starts to fall. But even though my throat feels dry I manage to say, “Of course.” My voice trembles a little.

“Okay then.” Giving me a small but slightly forced smile, he backs down the driveway and drives toward the highway, toward home where all of this started. Where Micha and I first met, first talked, first played, kissed, fooled around, danced, said I love you.

Where Micha and I began.