Release Blitz: Blurred Lines & Giveaway

Title: Blurred Lines
Author: Victoria Ellis
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: July 10, 2020

Blurb

*A Second Chance Contemporary Romance with a HEA and NO Cheating*

Ava Keyes found love in her favorite record store at just seventeen years old.
Or rather, it found her—in the form of River Jacobs.

While they may have stumbled upon their beginning in The Vinyl Kitty, they never quite discovered an end. A certain Chicago rooftop had everything to do with that.

The unforgettable nights of their youth were hard to let go of. So, Ava kept them, turning what started as a diary into her very own success story. River wouldn’t relinquish the memories, either. Only he strummed them out, into melodies he hoped she could hear.

When River drifts back into Ava’s life, she’s faced with the music of her first heartbreak—while still recovering from her last.

Ava Keyes lost her first love to California dreams at seventeen years old.
Or rather, she thought she had.

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Excerpt

I stop so suddenly that Hailee runs into the back of me and pushes me straight into his chest. I breathe him in before quickly stumbling my drunk ass backward. He smells like he always has— woodsy, spicy, home. I am devastated and elated all at once. Every single ounce of air inside my lungs suddenly evaporates and I’m left breathless, like I’ve seen a ghost. How is he here?

River Jacobs.

My first love.

My first heartbreak. My first everything.

 “Ava.” His voice is low and husky—the same as I remember. The way he says my name brings every single emotion I’ve ever felt for him surging back, making me lightheaded. I allow my eyes to pan up to his, a green emerald forest I have no problem getting lost in.

“River.” His name tastes good on my tongue, sweet and sultry. I gulp it down. “How are you here?” I’m not subtle, and I suppose I have the wine and two vodka shots to thank for that. I hope I don’t look as messy on the outside as I feel on the inside.

When he smiles his crooked, perfect smile, I melt into myself. I know that smile so well and God, I’ve missed it. I’ve tried to convince myself I don’t but, the truth is, I’ve never been able to get him out of my head. He’s always been there, far, but his lasting impact remained relentless. “Don’t look so surprised, Ave.” He chuckles. It’s a deep, throaty laugh and I’m reminded of yet another thing I’ve missed infinitely. “I’m back visiting my sister, trying to sort things out. Long story.” He runs his fingers through his hair and sighs.

Hailee sits down at the table with the three men, and I signal to River that we should go outside. It’s loud as hell in this place. I don’t want to have an awkward I haven’t seen you in five years conversation over Bon Jovi’s screeching. So, when he nods, I reach for his hand and lead him out of the bar. The alcohol swimming inside me gives me the confidence to take the lead, even after all this time. I glance back at Hailee, giving her a look so she knows I’ll be close by if she needs me, and she grins back at me.

Once we’re outside, River says, “I’ve missed you, Ava.” The gaze he’s holding and the honesty in his voice, mixes with my buzz, making everything in this moment blur together. I look at him, really look at him, for the first time in over five years. His emerald eyes glisten in the dark as headlights roll over his face, cars whooshing past us. I want to tell him I’ve missed him, but something stops me. My pride? My new jaded self? “I’m so surprised to see you.” I glance away from his face because it’s too perfect, even after all this time, and I’m suddenly shy in his presence. So much has changed. There’s been so much time and distance and hurt packed into these years, but now he’s too close to me and all I can think about is getting my hands on him and letting them speak the words that I can’t right now. “But you did tell me you’d find me again someday,” I say, remembering it as I smile up at him.

“Yeah, and you stopped taking my calls. That hurt.” He looks away from me for a moment and then turns back toward me. “I mean, I understand why. I really do. It was hard, though. I get that it was my choice to leave but that didn’t mean I wanted to lose you. I just—”

“Let me make it up to you tonight,” I interrupt him. With us, it was never just about the sex, but it had been a beautiful bonus. I’d be lying to myself if I said I hadn’t thought about it multiple times over the years. Seeing him now makes me feel like I’m seventeen again, and the rush is more intoxicating than alcohol could ever be.

“Do you want to get out of here?” he asks, as we stand on the sidewalk outside the bar. My eyes widen at his question and he quickly says, “That wasn’t supposed to sound like a lame attempt to take you home with me.” An uncomfortable laugh escapes his lips. I boldly reach out to cup his face in my hands, bringing my mouth to his to allow my actions to do what words can’t, losing myself in the moment as I taste the nostalgia on his lips.

Tonight, I don’t care about consequences.

I don’t think about the mess this might make for us in the morning.

Tonight, I want him in his entirety. “Who says I want you to take me home, River Jacobs?”

Author Bio

Victoria started out writing primarily thrillers but slowly transitioned into both poetry and contemporary romance. Now, she is a multi-genre author that publishes Psychological Thrillers, Suspense, and Romance novels. She is also the author of two poetry collections.

Victoria is the founder of Cruel Ink Publishing, LLC.

She resides near Chicago, Illinois with her husband, newborn daughter, and an abundance of animals.

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