Homecoming by Jackie Sexton
Ariane Michaelson is always the quiet girl in the room, the one that her kooky mother and three sisters lovingly call the wallflower. After graduating from college she finds it more than a little difficult to find the graphic design job of her dream…or any job, really. She’s more than given up on painting, and a terrible run-in with her twin sister’s fiancé makes each day harder to keep a life altering secret.
Liam Ashdown was just the moody small town nobody, with one friend and a busted pickup—until he moved to LA. Spotted by famous actor and producer Michael Jennings during a late night shift at the bar, Liam is transformed seemingly overnight into Tinsel Town’s hottest bad boy. The life Liam once knew is turned upside down with models and mayhem…and there isn’t much down time in-between.
The only thing that keeps him sane is the paintings. Beautiful ocean portraits that remind him of home, painted years ago by some friend of a friend.
What he wouldn’t give to know her. To tell her that her art saves him everyday.
The engagement of his childhood friend, Todd, brings him back home to Craryville, to deal with a drug-addicted mother and an ailing grandmother. But it also brings him hope—somewhere in the bridal party is the woman who has been his calm and respite in the storm of fame.
The only question is, can she save him?
Description
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About the author:
Jackie Sexton is an avid reader and writer of steamy, paranormal romance. She loves dreaming up new worlds about brave (and slightly neurotic) heroines, and hunky, lovable heroes. She also loves dark chocolate and Chihuahua pups like nobody’s business!
What inspired you to write your book?
I really love the idea of people from different worlds! Also, I tend to write really strong female characters, and I wanted to write about someone who was struggling to find herself, who needed to develop her strength as a woman.
Here is a short sample from the book:
There was a knock at the door, and she jumped in her seat, awkwardly hitting her knee against the top of her desk.
“Ow,” she murmured to herself, getting up slowly to see who it was. They didn’t usually get visitors at the apartment, and she wondered for a moment if it was someone coming with religious pamphlets.
Or maybe it was Derek, the awkward boy from her date. She shuddered. No way, she thought. I definitely gave him a run for his money.
But she couldn’t prepare herself for who was at the door. She actually closed it again in shock, her brain short-circuiting into panic mode as she yelped and slammed it shut.
Feeling like an idiot, she tore it open again to see that she was not hallucinating—Liam Ashdown stood before her looking out of breath, his shaggy brown hair falling into his eyes.
“Um…hey,” she said, feeling strangely idiotic and self-conscious.
“Hey,” he said back, and he leaned on her doorframe with one hand, pushing the hair out of his eyes with the other.
Ariane stared at him for a few moments, completely baffled. “What are you…doing here?” she asked, trying not to sound rude.
“I…come with me.”
She cocked her head in confusion as if she must have heard wrong.
“Um…come with you where?”
“To L.A.”
She just stared at him, unable to comprehend what he was saying. Did he really fly all the way over here to tell her to come with him? He obviously wasn’t expressing exactly what he wanted.
“Why don’t you come in?” she suggested, stepping backwards to pull the door open and make room. He nodded, but kept his fierce gaze on her, unwavering.
“I need you.”
The way he said her name sent a hot shiver down her spine. But she didn’t understand, she refused to.
“You…must be really tired. Let me get you some water,” she said almost robotically. But it was only because her heart was thundering in her chest, and her thoughts were hopelessly muddled and confused. She walked over her to her refrigerator and pulled out a pitcher of water, draining it into a glass.
“I don’t think…you understand,” the tips of Liam’s ears were red now, and he looked slightly abashed. “I have spent every day for the last two years looking at your paintings.”
“Wait…” Her heart froze. “What are you talking about?”
“Jordan found your paintings in the house, and Todd’s been taking pictures and sending them to me.”
Ariane shook her head and Liam nodded, taking several steps forward to meet her where the living room met the kitchen. The glass trembled slightly in her hand. He took it from her, the brush of his fingers against hers warm and tingly.
“I look at them every damn day, Ariane. You are the reason I can breathe when I thought nothing was worth living for in this damned world.”
“You got that… from my paintings?” Her mind clouded over, and she had to grip the counter behind her to keep from fainting.
Liam just looked at her, his gaze so fierce it was hot like fire. Then he dropped the glass, letting it thud and spill onto the carpet as he pulled her towards him, his arms around her waist in a split second.
She was melting inside of him, feeling every inch of his torso pressed to hers. And he was feeling her, his hands pulling through her hair, combing out the elastic so that her dark, silky tendrils were free. His kisses were filled with a fervor Ariane had never felt before—a delicious energy of chaos and want.
She brought her hands up over Liam’s neck and every thought, every confused feeling melted away. His hands moved quickly down her side, picking up speed as they trailed over her curves. She could feel herself wanting him, knowing it was wrong, forbidden…knowing that he wasn’t for her…
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