Synopsis

Erika

I was told that dreams were our heart’s desires. My nightmares, however, became my obsession.

His name is Michael Crist.

My boyfriend’s older brother is like that scary movie that you peek through your hand to watch. He's handsome, strong, and completely terrifying. The star of his college’s basketball team and now gone pro, he’s more concerned with the dirt on his shoe than me.

But I noticed him.

I saw him. I heard him. The things that he did, and the deeds that he hid…For years, I bit my nails, unable to look away.

Now, I’ve graduated high school and moved on to college, but I haven’t stopped watching Michael. He’s bad, and the dirt I’ve seen isn’t content to stay in my head anymore.

Because he’s finally noticed me.

Michael

Her name is Erika Fane, but everyone calls her Rika.

My brother’s girlfriend grew up hanging around my house and is always at our dinner table. She looks down when I enter a room and stills when I am close. I can always feel the fear rolling off of her, and while I haven’t had her body, I know that I have her mind. That’s all I really want anyway.

Until my brother leaves for the military, and I find Rika alone at college.

In my city.

Unprotected.

The opportunity is too good to be true, as well as the timing. Because you see, three years ago she put a few of my high school friends in prison, and now they’re out.

We’ve waited. We’ve been patient. And now every last one of her nightmares will come true.

Excerpt

I enjoyed the fright of not knowing what was coming and from where.

“When we used to wear the masks,” Michael said, dropping his voice to a near whisper, “you liked it, didn’t you? It scared you, but it turned you on.”

I raised my hesitant eyes and tried not to let out a laugh. What was I supposed to say? That the fact that they’d looked like monsters got me hot?

I shook my head clear and stood up, saying in a quiet voice. “I’m going to bed.”

I grabbed my phone and took a step, but Michael’s voice stopped me.

“Come here,” he said softly.

I turned my head, narrowing my eyes. Come here?

He sat up, resting his forearms on his knees and waiting, while I shifted on my feet.

He was always playing games. I didn’t trust him.

But the temptation to engage was too great. He was right. I was getting good at it, and I kind of liked it, too.

I took slow steps, holding up my chin to steel myself.

When I reached him, he placed a hand on my hip and pulled me in between his legs. I gasped as he fell back against the sofa again, pulling me in with him. I shot my hands out, planting them on both sides of his head on the back of the couch, keeping myself upright as I leaned into him.

“Say it,” he breathed out, holding my hips with both hands now. “It turned you on.”

I closed my mouth and shook my head, looking down at him with a challenge.

“I know it did,” he maintained, a fire in his eyes. “Did you think I couldn’t see how tense your body would get or how your nipples got hard through your shirt when you saw me wearing it? You’re a little twisted. Admit it.”

I folded my lips between my teeth, turning my head away.

But then he tipped his chin up and caught my nipple between his teeth through my tank top, and I closed my eyes, letting out a small cry.

Oh, God!

The heat of his mouth swooped into my stomach as he released my nipple and then snatched it up again, dragging it out between his teeth.

“I’ve got the mask upstairs,” he taunted, kissing and nibbling on me through my shirt. “I can get it if you want me to.”

No. No, I wasn’t like that.

I pushed away from him, but he held me firm.

“Michael, let me go.”

But then I felt my phone vibrate in my hand, and I quickly glanced at the screen, seeing no name with the number. Reading the number, though, I noticed that it was his mother’s. That’s strange. I thought I had her number saved in my Contacts.

But I let it go, remembering that my mom was with her. I needed to take this call.

Planting my fists on Michael’s chest, I shoved him away. “Get off me. Your mom’s calling.”

All he did was laugh, though, and my face fell.

He grabbed my arm and threw me down onto my stomach and came down on my back, pinning me to the couch.

I breathed hard and fast, feeling his cock press against my ass as he snatched my phone out of my hand.

I stared wide-eyed as he placed it a few inches in front of me, his finger hovering over the green Answer button.

“Michael, no,” I rushed out, panic making my lungs ache.

But he swiped the screen anyway. The ringing stopped, and I heard silence as she waited for me to say something.

“Say hi,” he whispered in my ear.

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Author Interview

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Sure. I grew up in Iowa, although I lived in Illinois and California as a kid, as well. I earned a BA from the University of Northern Iowa in Public Administration and a Master’s in Education from Loyola in New Orleans. I was a teacher before I began writing. One day, I decided I was tired of living the same day over and over again, and I sat down and started writing Bully, my first book. I had been reading a lot and it started my imagination working again. Three years later, here we are!

What were your favourite books as a child, and have they influenced the way you write today?

Honestly, I barely read as a kid. I didn’t start to love it until I was fifteen and discovered Johanna Lindsey in my mother’s drawer. After that, I was a lost cause. Romance was like a drug, and I chewed up books as fast as I could. I would definitely say those historical romance novels created a love of escape. It wasn’t until some years later when New Adult emerged that I really wanted to write. I loved the ages of the characters in that genre, and it spoke to me.

What is a typical writing day like for you? When and where do you write? Do you follow a regular routine?

Yes, I’m a creature of habit. I get my daughter off to school, pick up the house, throw some laundry in, and I’m usually at my desk by 9am. Always in my office. At 2:15, I leave to pick her up, and I go back to writing after she’s in bed at about 8pm. I only write for a couple of hours after that. I’m not a night owl.

Do you set a daily writing goal?

Yes. But not like some authors. I have NO problem writing full length novels, so setting a daily word count is redundant. It’s mostly setting a chapter goal. “I need to get this chapter done today.” “I need to get this scene and the next one done today.”

What motivates you to write?

 Candy and music :-)

What is the hardest part of writing for you?

There are a couple things: action sequences, sex scenes, and scenes of high intensity. To get it just right takes time and patience, and it’s a lot of stress.

Have you ever suffered from writer’s block? If so, how did you overcome it?

I think writer’s block comes from a fear of being judged, and holy hell, yes, I’ve suffered from that. “What should I do? I can’t do that. Readers will hate it. Maybe this is a better course of action? Etc, etc, etc…” Too many voices in our head and we can’t hear our own. That’s why I log off the Internet or have my husband change my passwords. I need privacy and not to see negative things to fully concentrate.

How did you come up with your book title(s) and/or series names?
 
Fall Away just popped in there. I can’t explain that one :-) Bully was simple and got to the point. Until You was chosen in a contest on Facebook, Rival comes from sibling RIVALry. Falling Away came from the theme of the book. Aflame just popped in there, too. Corrupt was the theme of the book. And Misconduct was one my street team helped with.

Do you have favourite character from your own book(s) and why?

No, not really. They’re all a part of me, and I love them all. The books would be less without any one of them. The character I’ve always most identified with was K.C. from Falling Away. She was weak and made bad choices, but she had a desire to be better. Her growth was amazing.

Can you describe your writing style in 25 words or less?

I love young love, intensity, and raw emotion. That’s it!

If you were to write an autobiography, what would it’s title be?

Winnie the Pooh Was My Boyfriend. That would get people to open the book and inside there would be blank pages with a caption that reads “Don’t worry about my story. Write your own.”

What are your current favourite books and authors?

I’ve honestly barely read anything in a while. Too busy writing!! But I did love Degradation by Stylo Fantome and Paper Hearts by Claire Contreras.

Do you have any unique talents or hobbies?

I make the best potato salad, and I know everything about movies. Quotes, actors, directors…

Quick Questions:

E-book or print?

Ebook, mostly. Although I love the smell of B&N.
 
Favourite colour?

Orange

Favourite season?

Autumn

Favourite holiday?

Halloween

Coke or Pepsi?

COKE!

Tea or coffee?

Coffee

Dogs or cats?

Cats

Vampire/Werewolf/Zombie?

Vampire

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Author Information

Penelope Douglas is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Fall Away series.

She dresses for autumn year round, loves anything lemon flavored, and believes there is too much blood in her Coca Cola stream. Or too much Coca Cola in her blood stream. Or…

You know what? It doesn’t matter. She loves Coke. Now you know.

She lives in Las Vegas with her husband and daughter.

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