THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.
Uncovering the truth is her specialty
As a forensic accountant, Mia Sauter could usually tell when people had something to hide. She made her living exposing secrets while concealing her own. Then, in Vegas, she met a clever, ruthless man who called himself Addison Foster. One year later, she’s still haunted by his betrayal.
He’s a natural born liar
The truth of him had long ago been buried. Foster was only one name of many; he’d been so many men, he’d lost count. Reinvented as Thomas Strong and hell-bent on revenge, his mission is about to be compromised by the one woman capable of exposing him…
Reunited, they confront the explosive chemistry still crackling between them. But their chance meeting will have consequences, for a ruthless madman has his own deadly agenda. The question is—if they survive the fallout, will he choose love over vengeance?
Want a chance to win the first two books in this series? Answer the following question. Don’t forget to stop back tomorrow to see if you’ve won.
Truth. Lies. Forgiveness. Are you very good at forgiving people or do you hold a grudge?
Excerpt from SKIN TIGHT, by Ava Gray
“Does that mean it’s over?”
If only he didn’t have a face like a broken plaster saint, rough and chipped but full of heart-breaking beauty. She could imagine him standing watch over a chapel by nights, all icy marble and immovable lines. Only the fierce argent of his eyes gave lie to the indifference of his pose, propped against her car.
“Yes.” Though she tried to make her voice sound firm and certain, she noticed a little waver in the middle of the word.
Unfortunately, so did he. “I promised you a ride in my G37.”
“Technically, you didn’t. You teased me with the prospect of one, as I recall.”
He studied her with nerve-wracking intensity. “How ungallant of me. Surely you must let me make it up to you?”
She’d never excelled at mating games. They made her feel stupid, a rare sensation, to be sure. In her professional life, Mia preferred facts and figures. In her personal life, she took her romance in the form of tragic poetry, where she could let someone else’s pain wash over her without risking her own heart. One such disaster had been enough.
“What do you want?” she burst out, losing patience with him.
He stilled, a sleek silhouette in the moonlight that turned his eyes to quicksilver. Mia had the feeling he would slip as readily through her hands, should she try to hold him. “Do you really want me to answer that?”
She took a deep, steadying breath. “Yes.”
“I want to take you home and strip you naked,” he said deliberately. “I want to tie you down, so you can’t get away and then I want to—”
“Enough,” she whispered, sick. “If you’re just going to make fun of me, forget it.”
His brows arched. “You don’t believe me?”
“I’m not the sort of woman who inspires sexual obsession.”
“And I’m not the sort of man who develops them,” he murmured. “But you have me dreaming about the taste of your skin nonetheless.”
She managed a laugh. “God, you’re such a liar. Just stop already. Whatever you want, you’re not seducing it out of me.”
He stepped into her space then. His hands framed her hips, drawing her up against him in a movement more intimate than a kiss. At first she felt only the warmth of him, and then the world flickered. It was as if he skimmed her few romantic entanglements and plucked a thread at random. For a few seconds, he was Mark Rigby, her college sweetheart, and deliciously aroused, eager as he’d been only in the early days of their relationship.
But this was too bittersweet a fantasy to hold her—the reality of Mark’s abandonment was too indelible for her to dive into a dream where he stayed. Once, she’d thought they were meant for each other. She’d scrawled their names in endless loops, believing the alliteration a sign. But his words still echoed in her head: Mia, I’m sorry. You’re just… I don’t know. You think too much. You have no spontaneity. When I look at you, I see our future scheduled to the last second and it scares the shit out of me. I like you, but you take away the magic. I need someone who doesn’t need to be in control all the time.
Someone like Valerie.
It wasn’t Mark’s fault. The lack lay in her. He was happily married with three kids, and a mortgage. He could commit, perfectly capable of loving someone. Just not her.
The truth could never been changed, no matter what weird ability this man carried. Since she knew what to do now, Mia thought her way past the illusion. She broke it carefully into pieces and cast it away. Within a few heartbeats, she saw his real face again and felt his arousal. That much was true, at least.
She saw the instant he realized. Mia gazed squarely into his eyes, her gaze roving over his features. I see you. She didn’t say it aloud, but she might as well have. A shudder worked through him. He skimmed his hands up to the indent of her waist, where his fingers splayed wide. Mia let him tilt her body, pressing her back against the car door.
“When I touch you, I stop caring about anything else. There’s only you, looking up at me. Don’t dismiss that. Don’t take it from me because… it’s never happened before. It can go no further, or everything is lost, but just for this moment, let me pretend it can.”
“I never liked playing make-believe,” she said unsteadily, fighting the urge to rock against him. “It’s better to accept things as they are.”
Mia imagined the picture they presented to anyone glancing out the window: his body pinning her against the car, and hers, yielding. The idea of anyone witnessing this moment sent a rush of furtive desire cascading through her veins. Tiny pinpricks of heat gathered at the lee of her legs, urging her to move.
“Who did this to you?” he whispered tenderly. “What made you afraid of dreams?”
Life, she wanted to say, but the answer sounded too sad to speak aloud. It seemed too close to self-pity; she loathed how easily he found her vulnerabilities. She stared up at him, sad and shaken, more naked than if he had stripped her and tied her to his bed.
Somehow he read the truth in her face, and his mouth curved into a melancholy smile. “No wonder my curse cannot keep you. I should take you home with me, for who could match a man without a heart better than the woman who cannot dream?”
I guess it would depend on the lie and/or action. But I usually find myself forgiving when my hurt or anger cools. 🙂 Especially if the person is truly sorry.
by Carol L August 19th, 2010 at 6:12 amCarol L.
Lucky4750@aol.com
For me forgiveness really depends on what the transgression is. If someone does something that seriously upsets me, or does something that I find to be morally reprehensible, especially if (s)he shows no remorse, then there is a good chance that I will hold a grudge. But for all the little things I’ll usually stay angry for 10-15 minutes and then let it go; life is too short to hold on to all that negative energy.
by Addie R. Abrams August 19th, 2010 at 6:16 amIt depends on what the lie or transgression was. Tend to be mad or upset for a bit, then let it go. Getting to the age in my life, it not worth it to hold grudges.
by Jean P August 19th, 2010 at 6:35 amI’m pretty good at forgive and forget…I have a quick temper myself so I know how easy it is to say or do something in the heat of the moment that you later regret. Also, I have a really big family and we were always fighting over something one minute and hugging and kissing the next, so I learned to let things go. My husband on the other hand, can hold a grudge forever 😉
by Cheryl McInnis August 19th, 2010 at 6:49 amIt depends on the situation and also who it is that is in the wrong. When I was younger I was not very good at forgiving and could hold a grudge for a long time. Now that I have grown up a bit, I tend to be more forgiving. Of course that might have to do with working with kids who tend to not always be honest!
by Elizabeth H. August 19th, 2010 at 6:50 amHi. I am terrible about holding grudges. It takes alot to make me mad in order to get to that point but once I do that is it, I’m done. Sometimes I will forgive but that doesn’t mean I forgot!!!
-Brandy
by Brandy B August 19th, 2010 at 7:13 ambrandyzbooks@yahoo.com
Don’t get me wrong I can forgive somebody, especially if they’re sorry or didn’t necessarily mean what they had done. And I can forgive somebody over time even if that’s not the truth. But I can definitely hold a grudge. I don’t let it fester on the surface every single day, but I certainly will remember.
by Rae M. August 19th, 2010 at 7:19 amDepends on the situation and the person. Family is always forgiven, otherwise the time for forgiveness depends on the crime.
by Becky Jean August 19th, 2010 at 7:40 ami forgive and forget
by REGINA ROSS August 19th, 2010 at 8:05 amOh I hold grudges, but sometimes I might forget, but never forgive
by blodeuedd August 19th, 2010 at 8:18 amWell….I would forgive but I don’t know about forgetting and I wouldn’t be able to trust that person totally again until they prove they can be trusted.
Valerie
by Valerie August 19th, 2010 at 8:24 amvalb0302@yahoo.com
in Germany
I can’t be angry for very long and would forgive him or her… but I wouldn’t forget it *sigh*
by Ina S. August 19th, 2010 at 8:26 amI might forgive the person if they apologize but I never forget what happened. I believe in second chances, but not third chances.
by Mary August 19th, 2010 at 9:36 amI forgive but I never forget so I guess it’s never total forgiveness which is something I am trying to work on. I’m only hurting myself. I avoid confrontation so many times the other person doesn’t even know how hurtful they’ve been or they don’t care.
by catslady August 19th, 2010 at 9:44 amSad to say, but yes I can hold a grudge… I try not to though…
by Colleen August 19th, 2010 at 10:14 amI think it depends on what happened and how severe it is, and how close I am to the person. Either way, I am able to hold a grudge/never forget what happened.
by Jeanette Juan August 19th, 2010 at 10:19 amI’m a very stubborn person and can hold a grudge for awhile!
by Teresa W. August 19th, 2010 at 10:28 amIf I forgive someone I forgive the person. I don’t forget, but I won’t hold it against them.
by Leni August 19th, 2010 at 10:31 am:twisted:It takes alot(and I mean a LOT) to get me mad but once I do I hold a grudge.
by Casey L. August 19th, 2010 at 10:47 amI don’t hold a grudge for long, but on the other hand I don’t forget things either!
by Janel August 19th, 2010 at 10:49 amThank you for all of your great giveaways! I’ve heard wonderful things about this series.
Truth and Lies… I do forgive pretty easily, but I never forget. If I have to forgive too many times, well, then I just don’t.
by Twimom227 August 19th, 2010 at 10:59 amI might stay mad for awhile, but I do forgive easily, and tend not to hold grudges.
by Cathy M August 19th, 2010 at 11:41 amit depends on the situation, but yes, I can hold a grudge – sad to say, but it’s the truth…
by Christina August 19th, 2010 at 11:55 amI would like to think I’m a pretty forgiving person, but I do admit to holding some grudges for a long time. There are some things you can’t ever forgive.
by Jane August 19th, 2010 at 12:06 pmI really depends on what the situation is for me, I try to forgive and get over things so they go back to normal..but sometimes I just cant and hold the grudge for a really long time.
In the end though I usually end up talking it out with whomever and whether we decide that things are too different or can become normal again. All that matters is, it was figured out and solved so we can start the healing and mending process.
I never forget things that are said/done to me but I try to learn from them so that I can become a stronger person.
by Jenna Rysanek August 19th, 2010 at 12:56 pmI don’t hold grudges and I tend to let things go pretty quickly. However, once someone’s lost my trust, they almost never gain it back.
by Jacqueline C. August 19th, 2010 at 1:12 pmtrusting forgiving and forgetting are altogether different things.
It takes a lot for me to trust a person, though I am generally quick to forgive. Even in serious offenses I will come to a place that I can put it behind me… holding on to anger and hurt takes way to much energy.
Though I may move on, forgetting is harder to do.
by Pam S August 19th, 2010 at 1:29 pmHmm… I think I’m like Pam–I’ll try to get over the wrong quickly, but I may be slow to offer my trust again. That’s a hard thing to re-earn…
No need to enter me, but good luck, everyone! These two books are amazing!!
by Fedora August 19th, 2010 at 1:42 pmWhen I was younger, I used to hold grudges. Now, being old and (HOPEFULLY) wiser, I let things roll off my battle. I chose to “pick my battles”, basically…
by Tracey D August 19th, 2010 at 1:49 pmI can hold a grudge like nobody’s business.Its something I have been trying to work on
by elaing8 August 19th, 2010 at 2:28 pmIf it’s something that doesn’t affect my heart or my trust then I could forgive pretty easily. I wish I could say I’d be that way about most everything – but I’d be lying. You betray me or break my heart – you are dead to me forever and there’s not enough patience or generosity in the world to change that.
by Cybercliper August 19th, 2010 at 2:30 pmI am usually good at forgiving people, if the request in genuine. I rarely hold grudges, as it just takes too much time. Although, if the action was truly mean and cruel, I would gladly hold a grudge. Mostly, though, I am too easy-going to hold a grudge.
by Ashley L August 19th, 2010 at 2:46 pmI would say it would depend on the lie or deed.
by alba August 19th, 2010 at 2:47 pmI hate to hold grudges or even be angry It is such a waste of energy.
I do tend to forgive.
whats that saying fool me ounce shame on you fool me twice shame on me.
I am the world’s worst grudge holder. I even tend to hold it against family. It takes tons and tons to make me mad to where I will hold a grudge, but when I do…beware!
by Tami August 19th, 2010 at 3:00 pmI try to forgive but that doesn’t always work especially if I wasn’t crazy about the person to begin with. So yeah at times I have held a grudge. :blush:
by Larena Wirum August 19th, 2010 at 3:04 pmI pretty good about forgiving, but trusting is another matter.
by Marlene Breakfield August 19th, 2010 at 4:00 pmI like to think I’m a pretty forgiving person. It really depends on the situation.
by Stacy S August 19th, 2010 at 4:09 pmI hold a grudge I admit. It has to be something really big, not little white lies or such, but when I’m hurt or deceived I hold a grudge.
by Diane Sadler August 19th, 2010 at 5:24 pmIt depends entirely on the transgression – I believe in giving a chance to fix the issue – if the person keeps on hurting me then I have re-evaluate my relationship with them and go from there. There are some things that I’ve had people do in my life that I’ve found unforgiveable – as a result there are a few people who I no longer maintain ties with – I don’t hold a grudge – it’s just the relationship is not healthy for me and thus I’m better off without it.
by Anna Shah Hoque August 19th, 2010 at 5:30 pmNot at all. I hold grudges for years! My best friend tells me it’s bad for my soul (and she’s trying to cure me of it) but I will hold something against someone for a long time. Unless they apologize, but that’s a whole ‘nother story.
by Casey August 19th, 2010 at 6:38 pmFor me I guess it depends on the action, if I want to forgive or not. But I can hold a grudge and when I do it takes alot for me to forgive.
by Lisa F. August 19th, 2010 at 7:00 pmI usually pretty good at turning the other cheek. As I grew older and when the same person keep stabbing me in the back, I just can’t forgive this particular person anymore.
by Kai W. August 19th, 2010 at 8:19 pmI’m kindda hold a grudge..Even after they said ‘sorry’.
by Mariska August 19th, 2010 at 8:43 pmI am the Queen of the Grudge. I can hold a grudge like nobody’s business. I wish I could forgive and forget, but it just doesn’t seem to be possible for me.
by Stephanie Nagy August 19th, 2010 at 9:31 pmHmm…well, I never forget even on the rare occasions that I forgive. So, guess I do hold a grudge lol
by Preye August 19th, 2010 at 10:03 pmI can definately hold a grudge but I can also forgive. It depends on what was done and how maliciously. Sometimes I’ll forgive but not forget or trust what was done. I know it’s not the best but…
by Lexee August 19th, 2010 at 10:04 pmlexeetoste @ sbcglobal.net
I have to forgive things my family does all the time so I guess I very For giving.Maybe thats why thay think thay can walk all over me? but I guess you have to forgive family if you want to keep family.
by Stacey Smith August 19th, 2010 at 10:29 pmsasluvbooks(at)yahoo.com
I have no problem with forgiving people who are truly sorry for something. I have a much tougher time with people who continue to treat others poorly because they’re selfish, spiteful, or simply don’t give a darn about others. I’m working on that, though, as I know it’s not healthy to stay angry…
by Vicki in Canada August 20th, 2010 at 4:55 amI think I’m a pretty forgiving person. Actually, its more that I’m absentminded. Once in a while, I’ll remember but then forget. Unless its a really bad one, then I might keep remembering about it.
by Tamsyn August 20th, 2010 at 5:51 am