Book Spotlight: One to Take by Tia Louise
(One to Hold #8)
by Tia Louise
Release Date: February 22, 2016
About One to Take
A standalone novel in the One to Hold universe. Prepare for strong language, panty-melting sexy times, and heart-squeezing angst. Readers 18 and older only, please.
Life is never simple.
Even perfect couples face storms.
The question is whether our love is strong enough to survive.
I believe it is.
She told me to leave.
If I leave, I take her with me.
~Stuart Knight
Read my four-starred review of One to Take.
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One to Take Trailer
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An Excerpt from One to Take
One to Take by Tia Louise
© TLM Productions LLC, 2016
Mariska
“Can we go somewhere else?” Our faces are so close, and Stuart's smoky hazel eyes brim with… something. “Away from the noise?”
I’m afraid to be alone with him. I don’t know if I’m strong enough yet. I’m pretty sure I’ll never be strong enough to tell him to go to hell. I don’t even know if that’s what I want to say. Still, with all we’ve been through and all I’ve learned, I can’t be the person I was before.
“I don’t know,” I answer truthfully. “I’m not sure if I’m ready.”
He glances down, and my eyes run all over his face. His hair is longer than he usually wears it. It ends in shaggy curls around his ears. His face is lined and tired, and his body is lean again, like it was when we were first together when he was fighting the drugs.
“You’ve been working.”
“Trying to kill the pain.” His voice is rough, and it moves something inside me.”
“The stairs in the back lead down to the beach.” I point in the direction of the DJ booth. “We can walk along the shore if you want.”
He nods and follows me as I lead us through the crowd to the back entrance. A wide patio is attached to the back of the club, and couples are scattered around in different levels of engagement. I don’t linger, walking through them and going down the wide staircase to the beach below. Stuart is right behind me, and the closeness of this man sends waves of desire crashing through my insides. I have to fight it.
“It’s warm tonight,” I say, pausing to slip off my booties.
“Can I help you with those?”
Shaking my head, I walk straight to the water. It’s breaking in small waves tonight, sending little ripples of briny sand between my toes.
“So you’re here with Pete?” I can’t tell if that’s jealousy in his voice, but I decide not to notice.
“He’s easy.” My voice is quiet. “Safe.”
“Since when do you like safe and easy?” The taunting in his voice makes me want to cry. I can’t do this with him. Not after everything.
“What do you want, Stuart?”
“The same thing I’ve always wanted. You.” Another wave of emotion crashes in my chest. “No.” Shaking my head, I turn to the side. “I can’t hear that from you. You left me when I needed you. I reached for you, and you weren’t there.”
Stepping forward, he catches my hand, pulling me to his chest. “You were so hurt. I felt like seeing me hurt you more.”
I push him away. “You blamed me. You went away because you were angry with me for what happened. Be honest. You went away to hurt me.”
His chin drops, and I watch the line of his jaw move. “I was angry.”
“I knew it!” I shout, turning to walk away, but he grabs my arm, stopping me.
“But not at you.” The pain in his eyes expands, and I see my torment reflected there. “I was angry with myself. I didn’t protect you when you needed me, and I couldn’t forgive myself for letting you be hurt. I love you, Mariska. You’re my gypsy. You’re my wife.”
I shake my head, pulling away. “I’m not your wife. I’m not your anything. I never was.”
He looks down, and I watch as he runs a hand over his stomach. “To me you’re everything.”
“No.” Shaking my head, I cover my ears with my hands. “I only wanted a family. I wanted one so badly, I was ready to believe anything to make it real. I was young and stupid.”
“No you weren’t. You’re mine.” His strong arms surround me, pulling me to his body. “We can’t go from what we had to this. It’s not possible. You came in and changed my life. You changed everything. Every day you’re in my mind. I can’t shake you no matter how hard I work, no matter how hard I punish myself.”
“Stop…” My insides ache. Every word he says is a firebrand to my chest. “You don’t know what I know. When those things happened, you thought I had a gift. You thought I had special knowledge, but I don’t...”
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About the One to Hold (Stuart & Mariska) series
About One to Leave (book one - Stuart & Mariska / book five - overall)
Some demons can't be shaken off.
Some wounds won't heal.
Until a pair of hazel eyes knocks you on your ass, and you realize it's time to stop running.
Warning: Adult Contemporary Romance: Due to strong language and elements of erotic romance, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18. (M/F) #SexyCowboys
Note: This first book in Stuart and Mariska's story is currently on sale on e-retailers.
About Taken (book 1.5 - Stuart & Mariska / book 7.5 - overall)
Taken is the specially packaged “primer” for One to Take, the latest installment in the One to Hold series.
It contains key scenes from One to Leave, smoking-hot sexytimes, and everything you need to know to be ready to head back to Big Sky country.
Stuart Knight is an injured Marine turned angry cowboy.
Mariska Heron is a beautiful young artist with vivid dreams and a healing touch.
When the two cross paths, their chemistry is explosive, their attraction undeniable. But Stuart has one thing on his mind—returning to active duty.
He says he’s leaving. She walks away first. Still, neither of them can deny their hearts are taken.
Warning: Due to strong sexual content and language, readers 18 and older, please.
Note: This primer is currently available for free on e-retailers.
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About Tia Louise
Tia Louise is the award-winning, international bestselling author of the One to Hold series.
From “Readers’ Choice” nominations, to USA Today “Happily Ever After” nods, to winning the 2015 “Favorite Erotica Author” and the 2014 “Lady Boner Award” (LOL!), nothing makes her happier than communicating with fans and weaving new tales into the Alexander-Knight world of stories.
A former journalist, Louise lives in the center of the USA with her lovely family and one grumpy cat. There, she dreams up stories she hopes are engaging, hot, and sexy, and that cause readers rethink common public locations...
Connect with Tia Louise
Books by Tia Louise
One to Hold
One to Hold (Derek & Melissa), 2013
One to Keep (Patrick & Elaine), 2014
One to Protect (Derek & Melissa), 2014
One to Love (Kenny & Slayde), 2014
One to Leave (Stuart & Mariska), 2014
One to Save (Derek & Melissa), 2015
Runaway: A One to Chase Prequel (Amy & Marcus), 2015
One to Chase (Amy & Marcus), 2015
Taken: A One to Take Primer (Stuart & Mariska), 2015
One to Take (Stuart & Mariska), 2016
Paranormal Romances (standalones)
One Immortal (Derek & Melissa, #SexyVampires), 2015
One Insatiable (Koa & Mercy, #SexyShifters), 2015
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