Title: It Was Always You by S.L. Sterling
Publisher: S.L. Sterling
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 216 pages
Summary:
Fresh out of an abusive relationship, Tatum packs up and goes to live closer to her brother.
A new life. New beginnings.
But when Parker – her college sweetheart – comes back around she’s immediately divided between trying again or protecting her damaged heart.
Parker hasn’t been able to get Tatum off his mind since the night he walked out of her life. Eight years of one night stands, along with sleepless nights, and the pain of losing her has virtually faded. But now she’s moving back to town and all the emotions of the past come crashing in to drive him back to her.
Ex-boyfriends are real, though.
And hers becomes obsessed.
Tatum and Parker’s rekindled love will be tested to its limits.
And worlds may come crashing down
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Purchase Link: Amazon
Excerpt
Unzipping my bag, I pulled out a pair of yoga pants and a T-shirt and got changed. Exhausted from being up for the past few days, I was craving relaxation. Once I changed, I headed back downstairs. The lights had been dimmed, and soft music floated through the air. Parker was in the living room sitting on the floor with two glasses of white wine sitting on the table. He had pulled out a blanket and laid it out on the thick rug in front of the fireplace. Piles of pillows and cushions from the couch were spread out on the floor.
He patted the spot beside him. “Come make yourself comfortable.”
He looked so handsome with the firelight bouncing off his tanned skin.
I sat down beside him, leaning back into the cloud of pillows. He reached over and handed me a glass of wine.
“Thank you.” I took the glass from him and took a sip. Setting the glass down, I relaxed back into the pillows, closed my eyes, and soaked in the warmth of the fire. I was exhausted.
After a few minutes, I could feel his gaze upon me. I opened my eyes and felt a flush of warmth spread through me from the way he was looking at me.
“What is it?” I asked.
“You’re just so beautiful,” he replied.
I grew quiet. In the year we had dated, Dean had never uttered those words to me, and it made me uneasy to hear them. I sat staring into the fire, holding my wine glass in my hands and taking the occasional sip.
Parker’s hand went to my shoulder. “Tatum?”
“Please don’t say that.” I sniffled, unable to look at him. Even though the bruises from the first attack had healed, the invisible ones were still there; along with all the horrible words that Dean had shoved at me every chance he got.
Parker brought his hand to my face and brushed the strands of hair away that had fallen into my eyes. “Tell me why?”
“Look at me.” Tears spilled from my eyes and streamed down my face. I didn’t feel beautiful, but I guess that’s what happened. I had started to believe everything he said—how useless I was and how no one would want me. He never once complimented me on anything.
“Yes, look at you. My beautiful girl.” He brought his hand to my cheek and turned my face up. “Don’t cry.” Looking into my eyes, his thumbs wiped the tears away, and he brought his lips to mine. He lay beside me, pulled me into his arms, and held me.
Author Bio
S.L. Sterling was born and raised in southern Ontario. She now lives in Northern Ontario Canada and is married to her best friend and soul mate and their two dogs.
An avid reader all her life, S.L. Sterling dreamt of becoming an author. She decided to give writing a try after one of her favorite authors launched a course on how to write your novel. This course gave her the push she needed to put pen to paper and her debut novel “It Was Always You” was born.
When S.L. Sterling isn’t writing or plotting her next novel she can be found curled up with a cup of coffee, blanket and the newest romance novel from one of her favorite authors on her e-reader. Her favorite authors include Kendall Ryan, Vi Keeland, Penelope Ward, Lauren Blakely, Alessandra Torre and Willow Winters.
In her spare time, she enjoys camping, hiking, sunny destinations, spending quality time with family and friends and of course reading.
Author Links: Website * Facebook * Facebook Group * Twitter * Instagram * BookBub * Goodreads
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