#SampleSunday- Love, Trust, and Secrets

The reality of relationships is there will always be secrets. Sometimes it’s good to keep a secret, sometimes it isn’t. What happens when  the truth comes out? Can a couple who seem to have the perfect relationship find their way back to happiness after their ability to trust each another has been tested?

Some secrets are worse than infidelity…

Excerpt:

Why didn’t I think about this before?

I was so stupid.

I pushed the button on my phone and brought the screen saver to life. An image of our wedding day appeared. Zack stood behind me, his hands wrapped around my waist possessively. Smiles of contentment, love, and joy were on our faces.

Four days of wedded bliss felt as if it happened a million years ago.

How were we ever going to find that feeling again?

I said a brief prayer, then sent Zack another text apologizing and begging him to come home. The chances of him replying to the text were greater than expecting him to answer the phone.

After all, he wasn’t sure how he felt about me.

I had to remain positive. Negativity already permeated our relationship.

I had to believe he would forgive me. I had to believe my husband would return to me.

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What readers are saying about Jaded

“After reading A Heart Not Easily Broken I was trying so hard to compare,but after reading the first couple of chapters of Jaded I was beginning to realize there’s no comparison! Jaded is a book all of its own. There is some laughter and some moments when you do get emotional but altogether this a great read.”

Available on AMAZON, B&N, iTunes, and SMASHWORDS for $3.99! Also available on PAPERBACK!

***JADED can be read as a stand-alone or as part of The Butterfly Memoirs series. Buy your copy today!***

 

Autumn landscape

Contemporary Romance, Women’s Fiction, Interracial Romance

 

A devastating breakup leaves Yasmine Phillips in shambles. Unable to trust another man with her heart, she focuses on the one thing she can control—starting her own business.

 When her computer crashes, taking months of hard work with it, she must rely on computer genius Zachariah Givens to save her. A complete opposite of men from her past, she doesn’t expect the passion that ensues. But just as she finds happiness, she learns the truth about the other women in Zachariah’s life.

 

Amazon      Barnes & Noble      iTunes     Smashwords     Paperback

***Read as a STAND-ALONE or as part of The Butterfly Memoirs series!***

Looking for Book 1? Follow this link to learn more about A Heart Not Easily Broken!

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Thank you for stopping by! I love to make new friends. Got questions or comments? Leave a comment, or connect with me online!

MJ

About Me     Twitter     Facebook    Pinterest     Instagram  Google+      Goodreads     Linkedin     Email

 

 

“A True Romance For All”

That was how this reviewer titled her thoughts about A Heart Not Easily Broken on Amazon.

I love it when a reader is so touched by my stories that it takes more than just a few lines to say why they rated it as a 5-Star read…they write paragraphs!

This review is from an Amazon reader. Thank you, SexxyBlogger!

Review:

5.0 out of 5 stars A True Romance for All, July 21, 2013

This story was definitely worth the last minute purchase. I saw a review on Romance Novels in Color and just had to know why it was one of their top reads and now I do. M.J. Kane challenges you dear reader with this story of an interracial couple within the beginning of a romance that pretty much takes both the heroine/hero by surprise.

What challenge you ask? She challenges you not to just think about the normal things that go on within a new budding relationship, but she also challenges you to think about race…about how it can also affect a relationship. The Butterfly Memoirs is a trilogy….a compilation if you will…of stories about three roommates…friends. All of different racial backgrounds.

A Heart Not Easily Broken is Ebony’s story. Ebony is as the blurb states…she works and goes to school. She doesn’t have time for a full-time relationship, but she meets a man who gives her exactly what she wants. He challenges her mind and body…he respects her career choice. He listens and doesn’t judge. He is perfect…except he’s white and I mean blond hair, blue eyed white. Brian is the perfect man for Ebony…he is what she is looking for in a man should she want to take their relationship further. But growing up, she was always told that a educated black man is what she needs.

Brian…I want a Brian and me personally, I wouldn’t care if he was purple with pink polka-dots. But I do get where this author was coming from. I’ve known friends who were told the same thing…don’t bring no one home who can use my hair comb…things of that nature. Me…no, my family is very diverse. We have a little bit of everything going on in it. My mom always told me, I don’t care what he looks like, just as long as he make you happy. But it’s something to struggle with; constantly thinking what your family will think because you’re dating someone outside of your race.

Back to Brian. Brian grew up in a liberal family..it never mattered to his family who their son/brother brought home, just as long as the woman he decided to be with treated him right. Brian had issues before when he dated a black woman and it didn’t end so well. But it didn’t deter him, he wanted Ebony and the man I have to say was very persistent.

I liked how M.J switch this a little bit and didn’t make it so much as a issue of race on Brian’s side, but more on Ebony’s side. I thought that was key to this story because we always hear how a white person perceives race, but what about black folks..what do we really feel when our sons & daughters are dating outside of the race? Very powerful question. And even though Brian didn’t so much care about Ebony’s skin color, he was effected in a way because to her, he was not what she wanted in the beginning (mainly because he was white); so he did have to those little seeds of self doubt.

Finally after all is said and done…you would think M.J. would give us our HEA…right? No, she takes us to a place where no woman or couple wants to go. And its painful for both our protagonists…they both have to deal with the consequences of their decisions. A Heart Not Easily Broken had me on the edge of my seat at some parts and also had me questioning how I would approach a relationship with a man outside my race…as liberal as I am, would I not have the same questions and doubts as Ebony?

A lot of things come into play in A Heart Not Easily Broken, but it’s a story I think we can all relate too…if we’re honest enough with ourselves. I love the angst that M.J. Kane gives me…I love the absolute devotion and love these two characters have for one another despite the challenges they faced; good and bad…I dearly loved the HEA that M.J. gave me at the end. It reminds me that love truly really conquers all. No matter race, financial status, friend and/or family thoughts…it should truly be about how that person make you feel…safe, secure…happy.

This is one review that is longer than most. A lot goes into it…so I thank you Ms. Banks (Kane)  for giving me a tale that challenged me…one that had me questioning my own thoughts and feelings. Thank you for a tale of just not diversity, but one of true love and friendship.

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If you haven’t read the Amazon Bestseller, A Heart Not Easily Broken, buy your copy today! It’s .99 cents for a LIMITED TIME ONLY! Available for Kindle, Nook, iTunes, and on Smashwords. If Paperback is what you prefer, find it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble! 

 AHNEB Sale with seal pic 450

Ebony is a smart, sexy, career-oriented black woman who wants nothing more than a summer fling with a man who challenges her mind and body. What she doesn’t expect is a blond-haired, blue-eyed bass player—who won’t take “no” for an answer—to accept the challenge.

When Ebony’s attempt at a brief fling turns into more, despite negative reactions from friends and family, she finds juggling love, family, and career are nothing compared to the ultimate betrayal she endures. Now her dreams spiral into lies and secrets that threaten her future and her best friend’s trust.

ONE CLICK for REVIEWS, FREE CHAPTER READS, ALL SALES LINKS!

For more information on The Butterfly Memoirs Series and a sample of the next book, Jadedvisit this link! 

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Thank you for stopping by! I love to make new friends. Got questions or comments? Leave a comment, or connect with me online!

MJ

About Me     Twitter     Facebook     Google+      Goodreads     Linkedin     Email

 

Guest Post: A Heart Not Easily Broken by M. J. Kane

Every Woman Needs Their Friends…

Today I visit my good friend, author LV Lewis and ask, What would you do to protect a friend?

 

Guest Post: A Heart Not Easily Broken by M. J. Kane.

#8Sunday- Things said in anger…

No matter how much we love someone, there are times when even they cross the line. The result? Arguments that lead to hurt feeling or even worse, lack of trust. While my stories have a happy ending, the reality is love has it’s ups and downs. Here’s an example from my latest release, JADED…

Excerpt: 

“You don’t know how many times I wanted to tell you, how close I came to telling you. I am so sorry! I should have listened to myself and not your mother.”

I pursed my lips and held up a hand. “No, don’t apologize now, it’s way too late. There’s nothing you can say or do to make me change the way I feel about you right now.”

Yasmine sunk to her knees on the floor in front of me, sobbing.

“I’m gone.”

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What was the argument about? Can they find their way back to happiness? Buy your copy of JADED (Book 2 of The Butterfly Memoirs) today and find out!

Autumn landscape

Available for just $3.99!

 

A devastating breakup leaves Yasmine Phillips in shambles. Unable to trust another man with her heart, she focuses on the one thing she can control—starting her own business.

When her computer crashes, taking months of hard work with it, she must rely on computer genius Zachariah Givens to save her. A complete opposite of men from her past, she doesn’t expect the passion that ensues. But just as she finds happiness, she learns the truth about the other women in Zachariah’s life.

Amazon      Barnes & Noble      iTunes     Smashwords     Paperback

***Read as a STAND-ALONE or as part of The Butterfly Memoirs series!***

Looking for Book 1? Follow this link to learn more about A Heart Not Easily Broken!

Follow this link to more #8Sunday Samples!

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Thank you for stopping by! I love to make new friends. Got questions or comments? Leave a comment, or connect with me online!

MJ

About Me     Twitter     Facebook     Google+      Goodreads     Linkedin     Email

 

#SampleSunday and a little bit more…….

After a long day of hard work, bleeding eyes, and burning a few brain cells, the new look of my blog is complete!  But not only that, I have an announcement to make!

Starting JULY 1st-31st, my debut and Bestselling novel, A Heart Not Easily Broken, is on sale for .99 cents!

Yep, you read that right! If you’ve been waiting for the best deal, THIS IS IT!!!!!

Here’s a little sample to wet that appetite!

Excerpt: 

Chapter 1

“This is the last time I wear this dress.”

“Oh, please, Ebony,” Yasmine, my best friend and roommate, yelled in my ear.

The music pounding out of the nightclub’s speakers made it nearly impossible to hear her.

“Stop fidgeting. You look uncomfortable,” she added, winking at the bartender who handed us our drinks.

No matter how many times I adjusted the hem of my dress, it was impossible to ignore the warm air tickling the backs of my thighs as people pushed past me in the crowded bar. It would take more fabric to keep my shapely derriere from involuntary exposure.

“Thanks.” I slipped money into the bartender’s tip jar, and he rewarded me with a gorgeous smile. “For the record, I am uncomfortable.” I turned to face Yasmine. “Freakum dresses are your thing, not mine.”

Yasmine laughed. “True, true, everyone’s not blessed with a body like mine.” She ran a hand over her hips, striking a pose. “Besides, I love showing mine off.”

I smirked before sipping my margarita. Yasmine’s light-skinned complexion, slender ballet dancer body, long legs, and B-cup breasts suited her personality.  There were times I wished my body was more like hers, though. It would make shopping for clothes a lot easier. As it was, I had been blessed with the shapely figure my Nana called ‘bootylicious’.  According to her, and her photo albums, I looked just like her when she was my age, with caramel-colored skin, perfectly proportioned hips, a butt that drew major attention, and D-cup breasts, making it hard for a man to look me straight in the eye.

I groaned while making another wardrobe adjustment. The jaw-dropping cleavage of my dress threatened to give my ‘girls’ their own airtime.

“I love my body, too. I’d just rather not show it to everyone.”

Yasmine shook her head while my attention went back to the patrons of the club. A wide variety of men lined the dark walls, standing just out of range of the overhead lights, making it impossible to pick out their faces in the smoky room. No doubt, many were on the hunt, looking for an easy lay. It shouldn’t be hard; one scan of the room revealed potential opportunities in every direction. Nearly every woman in the club wore a dress so tight it appeared to be a spray on, with skirts stopping just below their hips. I cringed. That sounded like my attire. Self-conscious, I tugged on the edges of my dress again.

The next time we go out, Yasmine is not selecting my outfit.

“That dress is going to get you some major action tonight. You’ll be thanking me in the morning…or afternoon.” She laughed.

I rolled my eyes. “I don’t have time to get into a real relationship right now. Finishing this last year of college is my focus. I’ve got to get that veterinarian job at the zoo, I’ve worked too hard to mess up now. Besides, I don’t need a man to take care of me.”

Yasmine smirked.

“Financially,” I clarified. “Having a nice body to lie against is a different story.”

She laughed and held out her hand for a high-five. “That’s my girl. Look around tonight. I bet you’ll find someone.” Her attention went to a dark skinned guy headed in our direction. He glanced over, smiled, and kept walking. “There’s one right there.”

He was attractive all right, but not the physical type I preferred. I was attracted to men who were tall, had thick lips, and eyes that peered into the depths of my soul. A man with the body of a sex machine, yet had no problem working hard for a living and wasn’t afraid to get his hands dirty.

One of the first things I noticed about a man was not his shoe size, but his hands. If they were too pretty and soft, the man didn’t believe in hard work. If they were overly calloused with visible dirt under the nails and full of scrapes and bruises, those were signs that a man didn’t take care of the little things, which meant the rest of him would be questionable. Now, a man with hands somewhere in between, calloused from work with no traces of dirt under his nails, those were signs of a hardworking man who could clean up nice. Everywhere.

I shook my head and sipped my drink. “He’s not my type.”

“Stop being picky. It’s only going to be a summer fling.”

“Even so, if I’m going to give a man my body and my time, I should at least be able to hold an intelligent conversation. Everything doesn’t have to happen between the sheets.”

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Read the rest of Chapter One here! 

AHNEB Sale with seal pic 450

 

Ebony is a smart, sexy, career-oriented black woman who wants nothing more than a summer fling with a man who challenges her mind and body. What she doesn’t expect is a blond haired, blue-eyed bass player—who won’t take “no” for an answer—to accept the challenge.

When Ebony’s attempt at a brief fling turns into more, despite negative reactions from friends and family, she finds juggling love, family, and career are nothing compared to the ultimate betrayal she endures. Now her dreams spiral into lies and secrets that threaten her future and her best friend’s trust.

 

 

 

Available for .99 cents starting JULY 1st-31st! 

Don’t forget to pick up a copy of the second book in The Butterfly Memoirs series, JADED!

For more information, visit this link! 

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Thank you for stopping by! I love to make new friends. Got questions or comments? Leave a comment, or connect with me online!

MJ

About Me     Twitter     Facebook     Google+      Goodreads     Linkedin     Email

#SampleSunday- A Father’s Wisdom…Happy Father’s Day!

A man’s relationship with his father is a special thing. A father can teach them not only how to be a man, but guide them in the ways of how to treat a woman.  For today’s #SampleSunday post, I decided to share a scene from A Heat Not Easily Broken. Brian has brought Ebony to his parent’s home for a BBQ and to meet his family. His father, of course, doesn’t hesitate to speak his mind the moment Ebony is out of range and offers Brian relationship advice he takes to heart.

Excerpt:

“Hand me a plate, will you?” Dad removed the hot dogs from the grill. “She’s a looker, son.”

I turned my attention back to Ebony. “Yeah, she is.” I grinned with pride.

“Have you slept with her yet?”

My attention broke. I faced my dad as he casually took a long sip of his beer. He remained cool, calm, and collected. You’d think he just asked me to pass him the barbeque sauce.

“Uh…no, not yet.” I buried my hands deep in my pockets.

My dad and I talked about everything. From my first wet dream, to the first time I had sex. It was a rare occasion for him to ask a question that made me nervous. This was one of them.

“What are you waiting for?” He paused to study me. His expression was serious. “Everything still working? You’re not sick are you?”

“Yes, Dad, everything works just fine and no, I’m healthy.”

He continued to watch me. “Ah, I get it. You’re serious; don’t want to mess things up, eh?”

I looked back at Ebony. She seemed to have settled in. “I don’t know, Dad, she might be the one.”

His eyebrows rose in question. “Does she feel the same way?”

“I don’t know. We haven’t really talked about that. We’re still in the beginning stages. We’ve kissed, but, I don’t want to rush it.”

He nodded. “What about her family? You know, your mother and I could care less if Ebony were purple, as long as she’s a good woman and you’re happy. But if her parents are from the other side of the world­”

“They live in the U.S.”

“You know what I mean. Things are different in the South. They may not be as liberal as we are. That’s all I’m saying, son.”

“We’ve talked about it…some. But we’re here, not there. We’re both consenting adults capable of making our own decisions.”

“Whoa, boy, hold on. I’m not trying to tell you what to do.” He put a hand on my shoulder. “After what happened with the last woman you dated, can you blame me? I’m just looking out for your best interest. Be sure your thinking with your head and not your Johnson.” He paused when I laughed. “I’m serious. You should know from experience a man’s heart is a fragile thing. We try to hide behind the macho façade, pretending we don’t get whipped. But deep down, when we find our own personal Eve, we’re done. And if your Eve breaks your heart, well, it’s hard to recover.” He took a long pull on his beer before flipping the meat.

My own Eve. I’d never thought about a woman that way. It wasn’t hard to understand where he was coming from. I studied the curve of Ebony’s lips and the small crinkle in the corner of her eyes when she laughed. The relaxed pose of her body as she talked to my sisters. My heart warmed.

“What about you, Dad. Has your heart been broken by an Eve?”

His eyes followed my mother. “No. My Eve, my paradise, is right here.”

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If you haven’t read the Amazon Bestseller, A Heart Not Easily Broken, buy your copy today! It’s $3.99 and available for Kindle, Nook, iTunes, and on Smashwords. If Paperback is what you prefer, find it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble! 

A Heart Not Easily Broken(Butterfly Memories) by M.J.Kane

Ebony is a smart, sexy, career-oriented black woman who wants nothing more than a summer fling with a man who challenges her mind and body. What she doesn’t expect is a blond-haired, blue-eyed bass player—who won’t take “no” for an answer—to accept the challenge.

When Ebony’s attempt at a brief fling turns into more, despite negative reactions from friends and family, she finds juggling love, family, and career are nothing compared to the ultimate betrayal she endures. Now her dreams spiral into lies and secrets that threaten her future and her best friend’s trust.

ONE CLICK for REVIEWS, FREE CHAPTER READS, ALL SALES LINKS!

For more information on The Butterfly Memoirs Series and a sample of the next book, Jaded, visit this link! 

#####

Thank you for stopping by! I love to make new friends. Got questions or comments? Leave a comment, or connect with me online!

MJ

About Me     Twitter     Facebook     Google+      Goodreads     Linkedin     Email

 

And the winners are…..

Happy Friday! This week has gone by fast! I have to say my blogging highlight was participating in my first Blog Hop in celebration of Loving Day on June 12, where I shared why I write Interracial Romance. Today I am happy to announce the winners of the contest who will receive an eBook copy of my novel, A Heart Not Easily Broken!

  • J O
  • ndunlap

Congratulations! I will be contacting you to confirm your email address. Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!

A Heart Not Easily Broken(Butterfly Memories) by M.J.Kane

I received this wonderful review for A Heart Not Easily Broken on Amazon yesterday…after a long day, it made me smile. Reviews like this remind me that taking the time and putting in the hard work can pay off in the end. There’s nothing an author wants more than a happy reader! Thank you! 🙂

“This was my first time reading a book by M.J. Kane and I loved it. This book was so different from other IR books. Most IR books make you think that the couple’s relationship is fine and nobody has a problem seeing it. We live in the real world and no that that is not true. This author shows you the issues that the couples are really faced with. It may be complete strangers or even your friends and family that have a problem with it. I was glad that Ebony and Brian’s love was able to overcome the obstacles. Now I’m ready to read book #2.”

If you haven’t read A Heart Not Easily Broken, or the next Butterfly Memoir in the series, Jaded, visit this link to learn more about the series and the books. Hang out for a little while and read the First Chapters, check out the Character Bio’s, Diary Post, and Deleted Scenes!

Have a wonderful weekend!

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Thank you for stopping by! I love to make new friends. Got questions or comments? Leave a comment, or connect with me online!

MJ

About Me     Twitter     Facebook     Google+      Goodreads     Linkedin     Email

A Heart Not Easily Broken(Butterfly Memories) by M.J.Kane

Check out the latest review of A Heart Not Easily Broken(Butterfly Memories) by M.J.Kane! Thank you, Kim! 🙂

A Heart Not Easily Broken(Butterfly Memories) by M.J.Kane

Ebony is a smart, sexy, career-oriented black woman who wants nothing more than a summer fling with a man who challenges her mind and body. What she doesn’t expect is a blond haired, blue-eyed bass player—who won’t take “no” for an answer—to accept the challenge. 

When Ebony’s attempt at a brief fling turns into more, despite negative reactions from friends and family, she finds juggling love, family, and career are nothing compared to the ultimate betrayal she endures. Now her dreams spiral into lies and secrets that threaten her future and her best friend’s trust. 

BUY YOUR COPY TODAY  for $3.99! 

The Butterfly Memoirs: Life, Love, Tragedy, and Triumph…The Realities of Real Romance

Those are the type of stories I write.

When I decided to become an author, the first thing I did was read…a lot. I read books by authors I idolized. I read books by authors I’d never heard of. I read books that were bestsellers, and books that weren’t getting the best reviews. Contemporary Romances, Erotic Romances, Military Romance, and Romantic Comedies…anything that got my attention, I read it.

Then, I decided to write my story.

I wanted to do something different from what I read and focus on the unique voices of each character. I wanted each character  to tell the story in their voice, share their private thoughts, their diaries. If you like emotional reads that grip you and have you rooting for the hero and heroine and want to truly get to know these individuals…this series is for you.

The Butterfly Memoirs are stories that follow a group of characters as they deal with the trials of real life. Each book follows a different character who’s life has it’s own path to travel. The characters are everyday people struggling to reach their dreams. They could be you, me, or the neighbor next door. They are imperfect, make mistakes, struggle with family and friendships. They argue, they disagree, they hurt the one they love, then fight to get them back. Somewhere in-between it all, they fall in love and discover happiness.

And at the end of their journey, like a butterfly who goes into a cocoon and emerges changed, so do my characters.

Life. Love. Tragedy. Triumph.

Try a sample of these bestsellers today! 

AHNEB FINAL COVER

Ebony is a smart, sexy, career-oriented black woman who wants nothing more than a summer fling with a man who challenges her mind and body. What she doesn’t expect is a blond-haired, blue-eyed bass player—who won’t take “no” for an answer—to accept the challenge.

When Ebony’s attempt at a brief fling turns into more, despite negative reactions from friends and family, she finds juggling love, family, and career are nothing compared to the ultimate betrayal she endures. Now her dreams spiral into lies and secrets that threaten her future and her best friend’s trust.

Autumn landscape

A devastating breakup leaves Yasmine Phillips in shambles. Unable to trust another man with her heart, she focuses on the one thing she can control—starting her own business.

When her computer crashes, taking months of hard work with it, she must rely on computer genius Zachariah Givens to save her. A complete opposite of men from her past, she doesn’t expect the passion that ensues. But just as she finds happiness, she learns the truth about the other women in Zachariah’s life.

BUY YOUR COPY TODAY! 

  Prologue and Chapter One     Character Bio’s   Yasmine’s Diary      From the Desktop of Zachariah Givens    Book Reviews

#8Sunday- Jaded (Book Two of The Butterfly Memoirs)- Problem Solving

A fried computer, no computer backup, and her mother waiting for important business documents to be sent….what is Yasmine going to do?

Excerpt:

I needed to fix this screwed up situation, ASAP. The computer had crashed two months ago, and the technician, who’d serviced it, recommended a replacement, even though he’d gotten it up and running again. My parents didn’t want to spend the money. Securing the permits, licenses, and the renovations of the third location tied up the budget.

The need for a new computer could not be avoided. Making an executive decision, I retrieved the warranty paperwork from the file cabinet. Sal-U-Tek had serviced our computers for years. The technician they sent over was considerate, knew his business, and was not bad on the eyes.

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Autumn landscape

A devastating breakup leaves Yasmine Phillips in shambles. Unable to trust another man with her heart, she focuses on the one thing she can control—starting her own business.

When her computer crashes, taking months of hard work with it, she must rely on computer genius Zachariah Givens to save her. A complete opposite of men from her past, she doesn’t expect the passion that ensues. But just as she finds happiness, she learns the truth about the other women in Zachariah’s life.

***Look for it March 22nd through 5 Prince Publishing!!***

New to The Butterfly Memoirs Series? Catch up with A Heart Not Easily Broken (Book One of The Butterfly Memoirs)

Reviews, Free Chapter Samples, All Sales Links