Today I welcome another new-to-The-Maze author for the 2016 Eggcerpt Exchange, Michelle Abbott. Give her a hand, folks, she's British!
(Bonus points if you correctly identify
the movie reference. :D)
the movie reference. :D)
Michelle writes New Adult romance and has four books to her credit.
Two injured, stubborn souls meet unexpectedly. Will they save each other from their demons or have they been too damaged for too long to see past the pain?
Growing up, all Jem knew was hatred and the pain from his father's fists. Taunted by the kids at school, he was alone, until a girl with carrot coloured hair sat next to him.
She smiled.
She listened.
She cared.
She was his angel, and he knew he’d love her forever. But Jem’s father hurts him in a way he never expected by taking him away from her.
Now eighteen, scarred inside and out, Jem trusts no one and has worked hard to ensure he'll never be helpless again. But then he runs into his angel. The only problem is she doesn’t recognize him. Jem needs her to remember him, to show him that their time together meant to her what it did to him. For once in his life he wants to have mattered to someone, to her.
Devon is attracted to the muscular, tattooed, pierced hottie standing by the pub quiz machine. That is, until he punches a guy clean across the bar for daring to touch him. She’s had her fill of violent men and intends to avoid this one at all costs.
Excerpt
She’s walking beside me and I can’t keep my eyes off her. Back when we were kids she was taller than me. Now I tower over her by about eight inches. I can’t believe I’m getting to spend time with her, even if it is to apologize to her friend. In fact, I think I should thank him. She hugs herself and rubs her arms.
“Are you cold?”
“Yes. I left in a hurry and didn’t bring my jacket.”
I tug off my sweatshirt and put it over her head. She pushes her arms through the armholes. I run my fingers through her long hair to loosen it from the neck of my sweatshirt. Her hair is soft against my fingers. I’ve always loved her hair. The color is darker; it used to be carrot colored, now it’s a deep copper red. I feel her body tense. Too much touching. I reluctantly step back out of her space. She looks cute in my sweatshirt. The hem reaches her knees and the sleeves cover her hands. She’s looking straight ahead and she’s not speaking. There’s so much I want to say to her. I want to know what’s been happening in her life all these years. Has she had a good life? What kind of things does she like doing these days? Did she ever think of me? I frown as her words come back to me. She said Quinn is her neighbor. Which means she not here on vacation. She lives here.
“Are you okay?”
At the sound of her voice I realize I’ve stopped walking. “How long have you been living here?” I ask. Her hair hangs over her eyes and my fingers itch to sweep it away from her face so I can look at her green eyes.
“A month. I used to live in London.”
I know. “So, if Quinn isn’t your boyfriend, who is?” Tell me so I can hate him.
She turns and continues walking. “No one. It’s just me and my son.”
I fight to keep the stupid grin off my face. I tap my fingers against my leg. I’m full of nervous energy. “It must be hard raising him on your own.”
“It’s not so bad, he’s a good kid.”
I nudge her. “He’s got a good mum.” She smiles at me for the first time and it makes me feel like I’m four years old again. I want to skip. I slide my phone out of my jean’s pocket. “Let me give you my number so you can call me if you ever need any help, or a babysitter.” She hesitates and bites her lip, a frown forms between her eyes. Oh come on. I want a way to keep in touch with you.
“I already have a babysitter. Quinn.”
I smile at her. “You should never put all your eggs in one basket.”
She unlocks her phone. “Okay, give me your number.”
I watch her slim fingers as she keys my number into her phone. I stop her before she can put her phone away. “Call me, I want to make sure you’ve got my number right.” And that way I’ll have your number.
Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon AU |
Book trailer:
Interview with Jem
Job?
I work at an amusement arcade, fixing the machines when they go wrong, handing out change and that kind of thing. It pays my bills, it’s local and the hours suit me.
Currently residing in...?
Hemsby in Norfolk. I’ve got a trailer right by the sea. There’s nothing like walking along the beach every morning. It keeps me calm.
Level of schooling, or self-taught?
I had to quit school when I was small because my father moved us all at the last minute after someone reported him to social services for child cruelty. He never enrolled me in another school. I taught myself all I need to know.
Favorite food?
Don’t have one. I eat to live, I don’t live to eat.
Most important goal?
To get Devon to remember me and love me again. To take care of her and show her that I never forgot her and never stopped loving her.
About the Author
Michelle Abbott lives in the UK and hates describing herself in 3rd person.
She loves to write new adult romance about heroes who begin as the underdog and are protective of their girl.
She's an avid reader of romance, is addicted to coffee and loves wine and chocolate, so yeah, not the most healthy eating and drinking habits. :-) She spends way too much time online when she should be writing. She collects teddy bears and occasionally knits a couple of rows on a sweater she started years ago, which she may eventually finish in time to wear for her funeral. :-)
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Thanks for hosting me on your awesome blog, Kim.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting me on your awesome blog, Kim.
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome, Michelle, any time! :)
ReplyDelete