Literary Misfit: Release Blitz: Low Over High by J.A. DeRouen

Monday, November 14, 2016

Release Blitz: Low Over High by J.A. DeRouen

Low Over High (The Over Duet #1)

Cover Design: DCP Designs

Release Date: November 14, 2016

Synopsis

I fancy myself a purveyor of truth, a sifter of lies, a cutter of bullshit. It’s not a gift, but rather, all skill, honed to a razor’s edge after one too many trips down the rabbit hole. Some may dismiss my talent as misplaced and misguided cynicism, but they’d be wrong. Cliches about hope and faith in mankind are concocted unicorn farts, an effort to keep the dreamers dreaming. Experiences don’t lie—people do. While I’m not proud of the circumstances that led me to this way of thinking, I respect the journey. The road to enlightenment can be dark and foreboding, but the destination makes it all worthwhile. But funny thing about the past—it’s a defiant child refusing to stay in time out. No matter how deeply buried, it can always pop up when least expected, and sink its fucking claws into the flesh of your heart. No, not my heart—I no longer have one. I foolishly gave it away years ago, but I still feel the ripping in my chest as I fist the crumpled note left on my porch. I’ve avoided this day, ran from it, for the past eight years. And still we meet again. But to truly understand … to feel my dread and fear my future as I do, it’s important to know what happened in my past. Or who… My name is Marlo Rivers, and this is my story of corrupted love.

Goodreads

Purchase Links

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2fWZYdH

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2eZuZsn

Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2fiTh3z

Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2fInplJ

Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/0cba4250374/?

Excerpt

Kissing Ever is like breaking the surface of the ocean. Legs kicking, arms flailing, and then that precious moment when air rushes into your lungs, giving you the one thing you need the most. Yeah, kissing Ever is just like that. When his teeth lightly tug on my bottom lip, he owns me. I swear, my shirt almost flies off of its own accord. Of course, I keep my cool despite his lovely lips … sort of. His tongue slides gently against mine, and I inch closer to him. He pulls away to taste my upper lip, and I grip his shirt with both hands. Maybe my hands slide under the shirt to touch his hot skin, but only an inch or two. When he lets out a long sigh, and his fingers brush the sides of my cheeks just so, I slide my legs between his. I want to pull his ribs loose and burrow deep inside of him, and even then, I’m not sure if it’s close enough. He slows the kiss, still tasting me, sucking my lips, teasing me with his tongue. When I open my eyes, he’s right there with me, hazy eyes and parted lips. I run a hesitant finger over the freckles on his nose, and he runs his thumb across my swollen mouth. I finger his hair, tugging playfully, and he kisses my dimple, poking me with his tongue. We explore each other slowly, thoroughly, and my thumb runs over his stomach to the thin line of hair trailing below his belly button. He shivers, and I swear the bulge pushing into the back of my thigh isn’t a banana in his pocket. It makes me feel powerful—that I can turn him on that way. This is the first time I can remember wanting that power. Boy’s erections were always a nuisance to me in the past. He doesn’t expect me to do something with that, does he? Nuh-uh. Let me be clear, those are not the thoughts running through my mind as I bend my knee and push my thigh more firmly into Ever’s hard-on. Not even close. His hips raise to my pressure, and he drops his forehead to mine with a long sigh. “I knew kissing you would be good, Low, but that was … I don’t know what that was,” he says with a chuckle, stealing another kiss. “We should try it again. You know, figure it out.” And we do.

Playlist

Direct Link: https://open.spotify.com/user/jaderouen/playlist/1UFpuMfEk9qCKG7Vtrd6vG

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REVIEW

I've been looking forward to this book for what feels like forever. Marlo's story has always left me intrigued and I couldn't wait to dive into it.

I love how J.A. DeRouen draws us into her books by giving us a deep connection to the characters so we not only read their story, we feel it. We feel like we are involved in the story, like these people are in our daily lives and everything going on is happening around us. I love that each book is about more than just a love story, it's a story of growth and change, a story about lessons learned, and how life isn't always fair but we have to work with what we've got.

Marlo is a unique character, I really enjoyed the in depth look at her past and how it has jaded her over the years. I loved that this book took us to her past, to where the story all began, rather than just taking place in the here and now, it really made the journey pop for me, for lack of a better word.

Ever also grabbed me from moment one, wanting to know more about him, wanting to see how he changed, and how he didn't. Getting to know what made him tick and why was like a craving I couldn't deny.

Marlo and Ever couldn't have had a rougher start with their immediate dislike of each other, it was fun to watch how it all played out though. I really liked seeing how they met each other and their uneasy relationship in the past to what develops between them. It really struck out at me and definitely hooked my attention.

As with all of the rest of the books I have read by this author, this story took me on an emotional journey. One that made me laugh, cry, rage, and everything in between. The characters are real and their struggles fit them. I know that the second book in this series is going to further draw me in and probably leave me an emotional mess, but I'll love every moment of it.

If you've never read a book by J.A. DeRouen before - make sure this is one you pick up, you will not be disappointed.

About the Author

J.A. DeRouen lives in South Louisiana with her husband, son (aptly named "The Professor), and her furry friend, Scout. She holds bachelor's degrees in psychology and nursing.

When she's not writing or inhaling romance novels by the stack, she works as a women's health nurse. She's been an avid reader and daydreamer since childhood, and she's never stopped turning the page to get to the next happily ever after.