Hi everyone and thank you to Elodie for
inviting me to her blog today. I'm Krystal Brookes and today I wanted to tell
you about my new book in the Kilrigh Heat series. The series is set on a beautiful and remote
Scottish island called Kilrigh (you won't find it on a map). Highland Beauty is
the fourth book in the series and tells the story of Sadie MacNeil, the laird's
daughter. It deals with subjects close to my heart and probably close to the
heart of many women—body image, self harm and depression. Although it also has
so hot guys in kilts.
The first book in the series, Highland Fling, will be available at Amazon for just 99c this weekend (27th to 29th of July).
The first book in the series, Highland Fling, will be available at Amazon for just 99c this weekend (27th to 29th of July).
Everyone knows about Sadie MacNeil's secret apart from her
ex-boyfriend Calum. It was her secret that drove them apart. Having decided
that the single life was the best thing for her, Sadie has returned to Kilrigh
to restart her life. She doesn't bank on Calum following her up to the small
Hebridean island.
Try as she may, Sadie can't convince either Calum or herself that she's over him. She begins to find ways to continue their relationship while keeping her secret—ways that require her to be inventive in the bedroom.
But will the consequences of an irresponsible night on the beach be the thing that pulls them together or destroys their relationship forever?
Available from Jupiter Gardens Press from 24th July 2013. Available from other retailers about two weeks later.
Try as she may, Sadie can't convince either Calum or herself that she's over him. She begins to find ways to continue their relationship while keeping her secret—ways that require her to be inventive in the bedroom.
But will the consequences of an irresponsible night on the beach be the thing that pulls them together or destroys their relationship forever?
Available from Jupiter Gardens Press from 24th July 2013. Available from other retailers about two weeks later.
Buy the book : http://jupitergardenspress.com/shop/highland-beauty-the-kilrigh-heat-series-book-4/ )
Excerpt:
“What did I do wrong this time?” He'd given her a few
minutes and then had obviously chosen to follow her outside. “I'm trying really
hard to make this as comfortable and as easy as possible for you. I know it
would be easier if I just buggered back off to Glasgow, but I can't afford to
give up this work. You know what the economy is like.”
“You've done nothing wrong. It's just... well... it's just...”
He cupped her cheek and angled his head just a fraction away from her mouth. Oh, he knew how to play her.
“It's just what, Sadie? Just that you love me as much as I love you? Honey, I would die for you and whatever your problem is, we can work through it. If not tonight then some other time. I'm trying so hard not to pressure you, but do you have any idea how sad you look? You've looked so sad for such a long time. All I want to do is make it better.”
It was as if he could see into her soul.
“Let's go for a walk.”
When they reached the beach, she kicked off her high-heeled sling-backs and carried them. He placed his arm around her shoulder and they headed off in the direction of the caves. It was a nice secluded place where maybe they could talk and sort things out.
“I'm on anti-depressants,” she blurted out. He was quiet for a moment, and they took a few more steps.
“Good. Are they helping?”
“It's too early to say. I just started them this week.”
“I see. Well they do take a few weeks to kick in.”
“You don't seem surprised.”
“I'm not. As I said, there has been something troubling you for a very long time, and I can't seem to get through that barrier.”
They had reached the caves. It was really dark, and she was glad he couldn't see the tears rolling down her cheeks.
“I love you.” It was the best she could do.
“Let's go paddling?”
“What?”
“Let me get my shoes and socks off and we'll go for a paddle in the sea.” She laughed and tossed her shoes down beside the rock he sat on. Once he had removed his shoes, socks, and garters, he took her hand and led her, almost knee deep into the cold water. She held the skirt of her dress in her hand, making sure he couldn't see the ugly red mark from her self-harm.
She squealed at the freezing water and danced about until she got used to it. He stood stock still, chuckling at her antics.
Looking out on the over the inky black waters, with his arm around her shoulder and their bare feet touching in the cold water, Sadie could believe that she was happy. It was the most content she had felt since... well, she couldn't remember the last time she had felt so content. Probably before the accident and that had been years ago.
They chatted about Brodie's baby and the gossip on the island and about their friends back in Glasgow. She nestled closer into his side, and he welcomed her, hugging her tighter. Then he turned to face her, took her in his arms and placed his lips against hers. He waited patiently for her to make her decision.
She stuck her tongue out and licked his lower lip. As she ran her tongue along his lip again she realized the inevitability of this moment. They wanted each other. And sex would happen. But she had to control it. To not let him see her stomach. To not put herself up for rejection. Maybe there were ways around the problem.
“You've done nothing wrong. It's just... well... it's just...”
He cupped her cheek and angled his head just a fraction away from her mouth. Oh, he knew how to play her.
“It's just what, Sadie? Just that you love me as much as I love you? Honey, I would die for you and whatever your problem is, we can work through it. If not tonight then some other time. I'm trying so hard not to pressure you, but do you have any idea how sad you look? You've looked so sad for such a long time. All I want to do is make it better.”
It was as if he could see into her soul.
“Let's go for a walk.”
When they reached the beach, she kicked off her high-heeled sling-backs and carried them. He placed his arm around her shoulder and they headed off in the direction of the caves. It was a nice secluded place where maybe they could talk and sort things out.
“I'm on anti-depressants,” she blurted out. He was quiet for a moment, and they took a few more steps.
“Good. Are they helping?”
“It's too early to say. I just started them this week.”
“I see. Well they do take a few weeks to kick in.”
“You don't seem surprised.”
“I'm not. As I said, there has been something troubling you for a very long time, and I can't seem to get through that barrier.”
They had reached the caves. It was really dark, and she was glad he couldn't see the tears rolling down her cheeks.
“I love you.” It was the best she could do.
“Let's go paddling?”
“What?”
“Let me get my shoes and socks off and we'll go for a paddle in the sea.” She laughed and tossed her shoes down beside the rock he sat on. Once he had removed his shoes, socks, and garters, he took her hand and led her, almost knee deep into the cold water. She held the skirt of her dress in her hand, making sure he couldn't see the ugly red mark from her self-harm.
She squealed at the freezing water and danced about until she got used to it. He stood stock still, chuckling at her antics.
Looking out on the over the inky black waters, with his arm around her shoulder and their bare feet touching in the cold water, Sadie could believe that she was happy. It was the most content she had felt since... well, she couldn't remember the last time she had felt so content. Probably before the accident and that had been years ago.
They chatted about Brodie's baby and the gossip on the island and about their friends back in Glasgow. She nestled closer into his side, and he welcomed her, hugging her tighter. Then he turned to face her, took her in his arms and placed his lips against hers. He waited patiently for her to make her decision.
She stuck her tongue out and licked his lower lip. As she ran her tongue along his lip again she realized the inevitability of this moment. They wanted each other. And sex would happen. But she had to control it. To not let him see her stomach. To not put herself up for rejection. Maybe there were ways around the problem.
i really like the sound of this. i love the cover congrats Krystal on ots release
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