Author: Shay Stone
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense
Release date: Available now
What if getting everything you ever wanted cost you the only one you ever loved?
Blurb
Colin Riley's past wasn't a pretty one. He'd worked hard to bury his demons. So when he crossed paths with Alexandra Vaughn, the daughter of the man that almost destroyed his life, he should have run. But he didn't. Instead, like an idiot, he fell in love. Alex was smart, talented, beautiful, and one of the most infuriating women Colin had ever met. From the second he laid eyes on her, he knew he'd do anything to make her his. Why else would he let her trick him into starring in some play?
It was just supposed to be a way to get close to her. How could he have known saying yes to the role would change their lives forever? But that's what happens when Richard Steed - the most sought-after agent in Hollywood swoops in promising to make all their dreams come true. It doesn't take long before the slick agent's true intentions become known turning him into their worst nightmare.
With a ghost from the past haunting them and an agent hell-bent on tearing them apart, is there any way Colin and Alex can survive The Rise to Fame?
The Rise to Fame is Book One in a two-book series. The second book, The Cost of Fame is due out September 2018.
PURCHASE LINKS
What
a gut-wrenching, page-turning, absolutely amazing book this is!
From
the very first page these characters wrapped themselves around my heart. They were down to earth and absolutely
loveable.
Alex
and Colin were made to be together but will the rise to fame tear them apart?
The
twists and turns in this book had me on the edge of my seat. The roller coaster of emotion had me strung
out.
What
Colin and Alex go through is heartbreaking.
When they are together it’s beautiful.
I couldn’t help but be pulled in and invested in this couple.
I
must admit that in the beginning, I thought the couple got together a little
too quickly but, what they go through and how they are together completely
eclipsed those thoughts. This is one
story that without a doubt compels you to feel what these characters are
feeling. I absolutely loved it!
Full
of angst, love, betrayal and anguish not to mention a cliff-hanger ending, you’ll
without a doubt be feening for the next book, The Cost of Fame.
I
received an ARC of this book. All
thoughts and opinions are my own.
EXCERPT
Copyright Shay Stone 2018©
*With the exception of brief quotations to be used in reviews or other noncommercial uses, no part of this excerpt can be used or reproduced. *
The tension hung heavy in the air between them. Luckily, their characters spent a good portion of the play fighting, so the intensity worked. Sergio praised their performances telling them how impressed he was with their rewrite. “Let’s run through the last scene and then we can call it a night,” he said.
Like the true professional she was, Alex steeled herself, taking her place on stage ignoring her sweaty palms and pretending it didn’t feel like a pile of cinderblocks was crushing down on her chest. The last scene involved a kiss. The thought of Colin’s lips on hers was too much right now.
She knew he was blowing her off. Like a naïve school girl, she swallowed every line he fed her as though she was starving for it. Tears formed in her eyes as she resided herself to the fact that once again, she had allowed herself to be played. She blinked them away and sucked in a deep breath pushing it out quickly.
Colin stood on the opposite side of the stage watching her. She was doing an excellent job trying to hide her emotions. To the casual onlooker, they appeared to be nothing more than two actors rehearsing. No one would guess they were lovers on the brink of implosion. But he could see the confusion and disappointment taking its toll, stealing a bit of the light from her eyes. He felt it when she stiffened every time he touched her, as though the contact physically burned her.
Alex recited her lines doing her best to get lost in the character, but it was difficult. The dialogue was emotional and echoed what they were going through – a couple on the verge of break up because of the secrets between them. She wondered if somehow, Colin had allowed his own fears to come out through the writing.
When it came time for the kiss, Alex tried to remain unaffected, but the moment their lips touched she knew all her efforts had been in vain. The kiss was tentative at first, but quickly turned deep and sensual, like two lovers coming together after years apart.
The inexplicable response that overtook her body every time they touched was reacting inside her like sexual napalm blowing away all reason. She attempted to break away, but Colin tightened his hold around her waist until all the anger she was bottling up came flooding out. She pressed her hands to his chest pushing him away, pounding her fist against him, but he kept kissing her refusing to let her go. His hand gripped her hair almost violently, steadying her head until she finally succumbed allowing her fury to give way to passion and her carnal need for him to take over. Her hands framed his face and slid into his soft locks.
“Cut!” Sergio shouted for the second time before they heard him. “You guys are really going to have to tone it down for the play. Although, I do like the whole beating his chest thing. We should keep that.”
Alex pulled away breaking Colin’s hold. “You really are one hell of an actor.”
“Shall we run it one more time?” Sergio asked.
“No. I think I’ve had enough for one day. We’re done here,” she replied giving Colin a glare so icy he felt his balls shrink. She gathered her things, leaving him standing on stage alone.
Let her go, Riley. It’s for the best. He watched her walk away from him until she disappeared out the door.
“Fuck!” He leaped from the stage, chasing after her, running so hard and fast his feet almost came out from under him. Letting her go may be the right thing, but he couldn’t do it.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Her passions include writing and traveling. She writes strong women with a bit of attitude, and flawed men that you can’t help but fall in love with to create that once in a lifetime love one page at a time. The Rise to Fame and The Cost of Fame complete her first contemporary romance series.
To stay up to date on Shay’s latest releases check out her website or follow her on social media. Don’t forget to sign up for her newsletter!
