WHERE SEA MEETS SKY

KARINA HALLE

A new adult novel that perfectly captures the existential angst of your early twenties with raw wit, fresh insight, and true feeling from a critically adored USA TODAY bestselling author.

Joshua Miles has spent his early twenties spinning his wheels. Working dead-end jobs and living at home has left him exhausted and uninspired, with little energy to pursue his passion for graphic art. Until he meets Gemma Henare, a vivacious out-of-towner from New Zealand. What begins as a one-night stand soon becomes a turning point for Josh. He can’t get Gemma out of his head, even after she has left for home, and finds himself throwing caution to the wind for the first time in his life.
It’s not long before Josh is headed to New Zealand with only a backpack, some cash, and Gemma’s name to go on. But when he finally tracks her down, he finds his adventure is only just beginning. Equally infatuated, Gemma leads him on a whirlwind tour across the beautiful country, opening Josh up to life, lust, love, and all the messy heartache in between. Because, when love drags you somewhere, it might never let go—even when you know you have to say goodbye.

WHERE SEA MEETS SKY by Karina Halle

Atria Books

Paperback

On Sale: March 31, 2015

ISBN: 9781476796406, $15.00

384 pages

eBook ISBN:  9781476796437, $7.99

Learn more at http://books.simonandschuster.com/Where-Sea-Meets-Sky/Karina-Halle/9781476796406

About the Author

Karina Halle is a former travel writer and music journalist and the USA TODAY bestselling author of Love, in English, the Artists trilogy, and other wild and romantic reads. She lives in a 1920s farmhouse on an island off the coast of British Columbia with her husband and her rescue pup, where she drinks a lot of wine, hikes a lot of trails, and devours a lot of books.

Find Karina Online

Website: authorkarinahalle.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Karina-Halle/140649372629593

Twitter: @metalblonde

Instagram: @authorhalle

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Read on for a look at the next novel by USA Today bestselling author Karina Halle

Where Sea Meets Sky

Available from Atria Books in eBook and Paperback in March 2015

Vancouver

Josh

I get an erection the moment I first lay eyes on her. She looks like no one I’ve ever seen before. Tall, curvy, with thick superhero thighs and a round ass, showcased in black Lycra that hugs every slope. Her big, high breasts and small waist are accentuated by her white tank top. Her body has just enough meat for me to grab a good hold of, and I imagine running my hands over her hills and valleys. I want to imagine more than that, but I’m horny as hell as it is and my erection is already inappropriate, considering I’m in public and all.

She finally looks my way, aware that I’ve been staring like an idiot. She catches my gaze, her eyes twinkling a vibrant yellow, her pupils large and wet. She smirks at me, causing a shower of glitter to rain from her cheeks, and brushes her purple hair over her shoulder before she bends over to slide a gun out from the harness strapped to her boot.

I try not to stare into the blinding sun of her tanned cleavage. I try to think of something clever to say to her. Something along the lines of, “I think I know who you are, but shouldn’t you have one eyeball instead of two?”

But it’s she who comes over to me, gun comfortably in her hand, and stops only a foot away. When she smiles at me, I see fangs.

Now I’m really confused. At least I know what to say now.

“Who are you?” I ask her, happy that my voice is hard and deep. I hope it makes her think of sex.

She raises a perfect brow and up close I’m struck by how bronzed her skin tone is. I don’t think it’s makeup. Not many people in Vancouver manage to keep their tan into the fall.

“You don’t know?” she asks. She has an accent. I immediately want to say she’s from England but that’s not it. It’s not Australia either.

“I thought I did,” I say. “But your eyes and fangs are throwing me all off.”

“I’m vampire Leela, from Futurama.”

I grin at her, happy that I was half-right. “Shouldn’t you just have one eyeball then?”

She reaches into her other boot and effortlessly pulls out an eye mask. It’s painted white, with a black pupil in the middle. She waves it at me. “I put it on for photos but I can barely see out of it. I walked into a wall, twice.” She raises two fingers for emphasis. “I figured I’ll just be a vampire the rest of the time.”

I can seriously listen to her talk all day. “I don’t remember any episode where Leela turned into a vampire.” Maybe it hinted at my secret nerd-boy status, but I watched the cartoon Futurama religiously.

She wets her lips for a moment and I try my hardest not to adjust my boxer briefs underneath my costume. “I like to think she’ll become a vampire in future episodes. Or maybe she was one once and Matt Groening scrapped the idea. I believe characters have more to their lives than the lives we are shown.”

“Kind of like people,” I say, hoping I come across as somewhat profound.

She gives me a slight nod – indicating I’m not as profound as I thought – and looks me up and down. “I just had to come over here to tell you you’re the best-dressed guy here. I mean, that must have taken some effort.”

I grin at her. “Game of Thrones, fan?” I ask.

Another sly nod. “Of course. But who doesn’t love Khal Drogo?”

“Last year I dressed up as the author George R.R. Martin,” I tell her. “People kept mistaking me for Ernest Hemingway, even though I was carrying a bucket of fried chicken around with me and had a pillow stuffed down my shirt.”

“So you went for something sexier…” she says as she lets her eyes trail over my body, which automatically makes me stand up straighter. I haven’t left much to the imagination. Jesus sandals, weird billowy pants that I think some granola dude dropped off at the thrift store, plus a leather corset over my abs and leather cuffs on my forearms. My upper body is bare and covered with bronzer and streaks of blue paint and I found a black wig with a long braid down the back. It kind of works. I guess if you don’t know the show, I look like some sparkling warrior who wears too much eye-makeup.

“Hey, girls can’t be the only ones to slut it up at Halloween.”

She raises her brow.

And once again, my foot goes in my mouth. “I mean, not that you’re dressed slutty or anything, I just mean–”

She laughs. “Don’t worry about it,” she says with a wave of her hand. “Everyone here is dressed slutty. That’s what the holiday is all about, isn’t it? Pretending to be someone else? This is actually my first Halloween, so I’m feeling a little overdressed. Or super nerdy.” She looks around her at the drunk girls—referees and fairies and nurses in wonderfully indecent outfits—and shrugs.

“I wholeheartedly disagree,” I say, trying not to ogle her all over again. I pause. “Wait, your first Halloween?”

“First proper Halloween. The North American kind. We don’t really celebrate it the way you guys do.”

I cross my arms, insanely curious now. “And who is we?”

“New Zealand,” she says. “I’m from Auckland.”

“Nice,” I say, “I was going to ask if you were from New Zealand.”

Her lips twitch and she gives me a shake of her head. “No you weren’t.”

“Well, I definitely wasn’t going to ask if you were from Australia. I know how you feel about that.”

For a moment her features look strained, then it passes. “Kind of like if I asked if you were American.”

“Exactly.”

“So,” she muses and steps closer. She lays her hand on my bicep and I suck in my breath. “Are the tattoos real?” She removes her hand and peers at her palm which is streaked with bronze shimmer shit. “Because your tan sure isn’t.”

Damn, I hope I’m not blushing. I clear my throat. “The tattoos are real, I assure you. I needed a bit of, um, help to get that Dothraki tan going on.”

“And this?” She reaches for my face and I am frozen in place while she gently fingers my goatee and beard. She grabs the end of it, which I had attempted to braid, and gives it a little tug.

“Ouch,” I say, though it doesn’t really hurt. It turns me on instead. Big surprise.

“So it is real,” she says. She sounds impressed.

I shrug. “I had a month to grow it in. I say, it’s all or nothing. But tomorrow everything is getting shaved off.”

She frowns and lets go. “Pity. I love a scruffy guy.”

I can’t help but smile. “Lucky for you, I’m scruffy for at least twelve more hours.”

Her mouth twists into a wry smile. I realize I’m being kind of forward with her, but at the same time, she just felt my bicep and fondled my man hair. Then again, I’ve never been very good at reading women. Half of them seem to love my tats and black hair and piercings; the other half seem to think I’m a delinquent from Skid row.

I’m wondering what she thinks about me when I realize I don’t know her name.

“I’m Josh, by the way,” I say to her, holding out my hand.

She gives me a surprisingly firm shake in return. “Gemma.”

“That’s a beautiful name,” I tell her. Even though I’m sincere, I’m aware that it’s very much a pick-up line.

Gemma snorts and it’s absolutely adorable. “Right. Well, in New Zealand, Gemmas are everywhere.”

“But I bet they don’t look like you.” Okay, so now I’m totally swerving into pick-up line territory. I push it further. “Can I buy you a drink?”

And there the question sits, floating between us, along with the haze of pot smoke that hangs in the air. The rejection might come fast, or if I’m lucky, not at all. But it’s Halloween, I have a three-beer buzz going on, and I’m feeling pretty good.

Still, when she nods and says, “Sure” I feel my whole body lift with relief.

A New Adult series of Contemporary Romances revolving around five college roommates. A laugh-out-loud look at college life and all the joys and challenges of becoming an adult. Sassy girls, hot guys, and a touch of sexy fun … once you meet the roommates of apartment 4C, you might just want to move in!

Book 1: V-Card

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Jennifer Nolan has been unlucky when it comes to love; even more unfortunate when it comes to sex. In fact, the twenty year-old college junior is about to enter her senior year still carrying her v-card. All she wants is to be with that special someone without it resulting in a trip to the emergency room, runaway office supplies, or being scarred for life by someone’s weird fetishes. With several botched attempts under her belt, she begins to fear she’ll end up a lonely spinster or a crazy cat lady.

With only 60 days until her 21st birthday, Jennifer is determined to lose her virginity once and for all. Little does she know that her mission will lead her down a path toward love. She never expects that her mission will lead her to a discovery of what true womanhood is, and where true and lasting love begins.

V-Card is currently available for only $0.99, but not for long! Don’t miss out on this deal, ending October 17!

***

Book 2: Brat **NEW RELEASE**

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She’s a spoiled shopaholic with daddy issues. He’s a socially conscious vegetarian who doesn’t hide his disdain for people who come from the trappings of wealth. Of course, none of that would have mattered if Chloe could have just left her summer fling with Chase behind her without a glance back—something that will prove impossible when the consequences of that fling rear their head. Particularly one consequence; one with ten fingers, ten toes, and the potential to turn Chloe’s privileged life upside down.
But deciding what to do about her unexpected pregnancy is only one of Chloe’s problems. When Chase moves in across the hall, pretending that their one night together didn’t mean anything will be the hardest thing she’s ever had to do. Especially when that night meant more to her than she’d ever want to admit out loud. Chase is determined to make her see that they could be so much more than a mindless fling; and a girl who’s used to getting her way will find Chase’s determination hard to resist when love is at stake.

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Brat

by Alicia Michaels

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*Excerpt from Brat* By then we’d finished eating, and when the waitress asked about dessert we both declined. We traded glances across the table, and I could tell Chase was as anxious to get on with the reason for our little date in the first place. The waitress brought the check, and after arguing for five minutes over who would pay, Chase physically wrestled it from my hand. “I think I can afford a steak and a salad,” he grumbled once he’d overpowered me. “Relax, princess, this one’s on me.” After he paid, we left the restaurant and took our time walking toward Chase’s car. The sun had set and the night was clear and balmy, knocking off the chill of the restaurant comfortably. Once inside the car, Chase turned the engine on and then faced me, his stare pointed. “What is this, Chloe?” he asked, finally cutting right to the chase. “I know we said what happened this summer would be a one-time thing, and I can see how my showing up here might have shocked you. Maybe I was a little too forward, and my talking about having something more between us than a one night stand might have freaked you out a bit. I don’t blame you. It freaks me out, too. Neither of us has the rosiest past, and we couldn’t be more different as people.” He leaned toward me over the middle dash, one hand coming up to the nape of my neck. His fingers slid through my hair, trailing down to my bare shoulder, sending little shivers down my spine, which curled in my middle and shot down straight between my legs. I swallowed noisily as he came closer, his lips brushing my ear. “But damn it, Chloe, I can’t get the smell of you out of my head, or the taste of you off my tongue.” A gasp caught in my throat, and I couldn’t pull away from him. His lips found my neck, his breath racing over my skin. He kissed me there, tracing a path down toward my shoulder and one of the thin straps holding my dress up. “Chase,” I whimpered as he kissed my shoulder, his fingertips causing goose bumps to break out over my arm. “I know it’s crazy,” he murmured, “but don’t you remember how good we were together?” I shivered, remembering a tangle of arms and legs and the humid mists of the rainforest. My thighs clenched at the memory of how he’d felt between them. “Yes,” I whispered, “I do.” Chase’s lips found my jawline, tracing a slow path toward my mouth. “I remember, too,” he sighed. “Kissing you, touching you, untying the strings of that sexy little bikini of yours.” He gave my spaghetti strap a little tug for emphasis, just as I turned my head toward his. “That pretty little sound you made in the back of your throat when I touched you. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it … about you. What about you? Do you ever think about it? About me?” “All the time,” I whispered against his lips just before he kissed me. It had all started with the worst first date ever, and ended on something of a dare …   Meet the roommates of apartment 4C!   About the Author Ever since she first read books like Chronicles of Narnia or Goosebumps, Alicia has been a lover of mind-bending fiction. Wherever imagination takes her, she is more than happy to call that place her home. With seven Fantasy and Science Fiction titles under her belt, Alicia strives to write multicultural characters and stories that touch the heart. V-Card, the first book of the Sharing Spaces series, was her first Contemporary Romance. The mother of three and wife to a soldier, she loves chocolate, coffee, and of course good books. When not writing, you can usually find her with her nose in a book, shopping for shoes and fabulous jewelry, or spending time with her loving family. Alicia can be found on the web at any of the following links: www.fantasybyalicia.com www.facebook.com/fantasybyalicia www.goodreads.com/alicia_michaels www.pinterest.com/fantasybyalicia Follow her at Twitter: @fantasybyalicia Follow her on Instagram: @authoraliciamichaels Visit the V-card website for fun extras, including the V-Card Blog, character profiles, playlists, video trailers, and more: www.vcard-aliciamichaels.com Be sure to like V-Card’s Facebook page for more on the upcoming second book in the Sharing Spaces series: www.facebook.com/vcardbook Sign up for Alicia’s monthly newsletter for sneak peeks at upcoming works, insider news, and a special monthly giveaway for subscribers only: http://eepurl.com/pgwOz     GIVEAWAY! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Title: Forever Love series

Including: Forever Dark and Forever Light

Authors: Chelsea Landon and Megan Smith

Release Date: Oct 16, 2014

Hosted by: Southern Belle Promotions & Book Plug Promotions

From the lights of the field, to the curve in the road, one shattered breath leaves friendships forever altered. 

The Forever Love Series will submerge you into two novels intertwined together where love and loss can break you down, tear you apart, and even last forever, if you’re willing to let it. 

After a celebratory night for six friends on the cusp of adulthood ends tragically, they’re left learning how to carry on. Years later, through their own struggles and accomplishments, each is left suspended by fears that encase them with such an intense blinding light, and a horrific soul-stealing darkness. Can they find their way out of the intricate web of guilt and deceit? Can they grasp the light amongst the shadows of what they used to be… and manage to be who they should become?

Sometimes the only way to heal is to face the fear of forever.

Forever Dark by Chelsea Landon

In Forever Dark, a novel by Chelsea Landon, you’ll spiral through life’s twists and turns of Cash Bryant, humbled quarterback, living his dream on the brink of fame, and Madison Thomas, a girl who shares the burden of the accident and destined for failure. Two people torn apart by tragedy; fearing that letting go will sever their remaining connection.

Forever Light by Megan Smith

In Forever Light, a new novel by USA Today Bestselling Author Megan Smith, you’ll meet Landon Hayes, an all-star wide receiver who is spiraling out of control after that one fateful night, and Macy Thomas, a college sweetheart who is shy and afraid to come out of her shell since the accident. When the heart-breaking reality sets in, can they find their light or is the past too dark to find their way?

Amazon

Excerpt from Forever Dark

It’s pouring outside, rain pelting my face and soaking my t-shirt. I don’t care. I still walk in the rain. 

Before I know it, I’m on the third floor and approaching her door, my shoes squeaking on the concrete floor. Taking my phone from my pocket, I send Madison a text.

You up?

She answers right away. It’s locked. Hold on.

My shoulder hits the wall, I lean into the door waiting for her to unlock it. A couple holding hands and beer passes by me. I don’t give them the time of day, even though they bump my shoulder and congratulate me on the season though we loss last night. 

Fuck football at this point.

I’m angry.

So fucking angry. 

I know I should have known that she was this girl but the fact that she kept stringing me along, that has me so angry.

I thought it was more.

That’s my problem. I thought.

When Madison opens the door, she’s dressed in my jersey from freshman year… yeah, the one she stole, and it’s a fading fucking reminder of what we used to be. I want to rip it off her body like she rips my heart out. 

When I step inside, she’s not looking at me and she won’t. She barely ever does.

“What are you doing here?” Her voice is low and hushed as she reaches to close the bathroom door.

I step inside raising an eyebrow at her, but I don’t look up, I can’t. The thump is louder, her proximity is suffocating. We don’t touch as I speak. “You don’t want me here?” 

She shakes her head, hopeless eyes fail to find anything they’re looking for. Slumped shoulders give way and she wraps her arms around me bringing our bodies together. Her hands slide over my wet shirt, catching as it clings to my body. She kisses down my jaw until her lips find mine. She captures me, right then, consuming me with her kisses. Our lips never fumble, maybe frustrated we can never get close enough, but they’re sure kisses that designate what we are, for the briefest moment. 

We’re this, right here, right now. 

A three AM text and no questions, only mumbled words of acceptance. 

I’m here for something and she knows it, her mouth finds mine again fisting her hands in my t-shirt, pulling me into her. We stumble, the wall meets her back and I’m dying, falling, soaring into the high only she can give me. I close my eyes and ignore the thump in my chest, ignore the fact that’s she’s never gonna love me the way I love her.

It’s just not going to happen. 

Ever.

Stop beating. Stop believing in anything but never.

The moment her tongue meets mine, I can’t breathe again. I’m screaming in pain that she can’t see what she does to me, how she makes me feel.

Excerpt from Forever Light

I push everything out of my mind and move with determination. It has to be this way. It’s for the best. I throw everything that’s left of me into soul-searing sex between us. My movements becoming harder, faster, my left arm wrapped around her waist, my right hand on her ass moving her against me. Macy’s panting and gently biting down on my neck and it only fuels my fire and sends me over the fucking edge. Macy’s body tightens around me and I push harder into her chasing my own orgasm, praying she’s close because I’m not lasting. 

“Oh Landon,” she cries out. Her body goes limp in my arms as I continue to drive into her. It starts out low in my stomach building rapidly and then it hits like a freight train. 

“Damn,” I grind out still pumping in and out of her slowly as my release hits. 

I rest my head on her shoulder and it’s then that I realize she’s crying. 

Shit. Was I too rough? 

Did I hurt her? 

No, that’s all I’ve ever done is hurt her. This is more. This is her knowing there’s no chance for us. Not when I can’t give myself to her in the ways she needs. I lift her chin and a tear slips down her cheek. Her next words break that last piece that was holding me together. 

“You stole my heartbeat.” I blink, pulling away from her, and the words come out before I can stop them. 

“I can’t steal something you give to me over and over again to destroy.”

A stay-at-home mom, Chelsea spends her days drinking entirely too much caffeine, baking sugar-sweet treats she never eats, playing on Pinterest, and jotting down notes for her novels. A dreamer at heart, she’s been creating happily-ever-afters. She’s a lover, a writer, a dreamer, would rather type than speak, wants to remember everything, loves lots of ice in her drinks, and is slightly introverted.

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USA TODAY bestselling author Megan Smith is a New Jersey native managing purchasing for an award-winning business IT and software development firm – and by night creating the memorable characters her fans have grown to adore. Smith’s The Love Series introduces readers to MacKenzie Cahill – a hopeful young woman who experiences adversity, challenges and the bittersweet triumph of true, authentic love.

Smith is a wife and mother, who makes time for her family, professional life and the creation of the Cahill’s world. Fans of The Love Series – Trying Not To Love You, Easy To Love You, Hard To Love You – are captivated by relationships, special bonds and family ties pervasive in Smith’s emotional, energized and engaging work. Smith is also the author of the 2014 releases, Let Me Love You – continuations of The Love Series, Finding Us (Finding Series) and a few top secret projects.

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Left Behind by Vi Keeland & Dylan Scott is LIVE!

Now is your chance to meet Zack & Nikki!

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Blurb

Two stories so deeply intertwined, you’ll think you know how they intersect…but you’ll be wrong….

Zack Martin

The day I met Emily Bennett my whole world changed. Sure, we were just kids, but I was old enough to know my life would never be the same. She was my best friend. My destiny. My fate. I wasn’t wrong…I just didn’t know how twisted fate could be.

Nikki Fallon

After the death of my mother, moving from my dark and dreary trailer park to sunny California, I was focused on one thing – finding a sister I’d only just learned existed. Falling in love with him wasn’t part of the plan. But he filled a void I never knew was possible to fill. He had to be my fate. My destiny. Until the day I finally found out who my sister was…and how twisted fate could be.

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Title: Venice Ink

Author: Lili St. Germain

Release Date: November 10, 2014 as part of Owned: An Alpha Anthology

Blurb

Six years ago… Elliot’s world changed forever.

He couldn’t walk away from the girl who was at death’s door, the girl who was being pursued mercilessly by the men who’d failed to finish the job they started when they attacked her and left her for dead. The Gypsy Brothers.

He stole away with her, into the night, throwing away a promising career in the LAPD in the process. He never once regretted the things he did to protect her, to give her a second chance at life. He loved her even as she consumed his universe.

But in the end, she became his poison, his darkness, and so he left…

He drove away, and went back to where it all started. Venice Beach. The place where dreams are broken, the place where power is measured in drops of blood.

He swore he’d avenge her past, but life had other plans.

Because nothing lasts forever … not even ink.

OWNED: An Alpha Anthology

Prepare to be Owned…

Lose yourself in this collection of never before seen novellas from eleven best selling authors from around the globe.

And the best part – they contain controlling alphas, feisty females and story lines that will have you holding your breath.

Pre-Order OWNED today!

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About the Author

Lili writes dark erotica and NA. Her debut serial novel, Seven Sons, is was released in early 2014, with the following books in the series to released in quick succession. Lili quit corporate life to focus on writing and so far is loving every minute of it. Her other loves in life include her gorgeous husband, good coffee, hanging at the beach and running. She loves to read almost as much as she loves to write.

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