Let’s get personal for a moment. If you’ve read the blurb for A Sniper’s Devotion, you know that the book has a warning for scenes of domestic violence. I haven’t talked about this in years, but I’d like to share my own brief brush with domestic violence. In my early twenties I dated a guy – let’s call him Bruce. He was a friend and co-worker at the restaurant where I worked, and he ended up being my rebound guy. He was great as a friend. Not so much as a boyfriend. I realized pretty early on that the relationship wasn’t going to be THE ONE. There were a few things that made my Spidey senses tingle: he bragged about how many women he’d slept with, which was a lot. High double digits a lot. He lied about his age. He was actually about ten years older than he’d been telling people. When sharing stories of his past, he called women who he felt had done him wrong bitches, and said how badly he wanted to hit them. When I got a shiny new car as a graduation gift to myself, he always wanted to drive it. I let him a few times because I wanted to show off how cool it was, but then he started demanding to drive it. One day when I refused, he got mad and wouldn’t accept me saying no. Like, he literally sat in the driver’s seat of my car angrily pouting and wouldn’t get out. Taken together, I should have seen that there were serious issues there. But he’d been my friend for over a year by that point and all couples have problems right? So I didn’t see it as that big of a deal. But then the relationship started to get really rocky. I’d broken up with him once already, mostly because I knew that I wasn’t feeling anything permanent between us. But he played the sad, hurt card and I got back together with him out of guilt. (Never stay with someone out of guilt) I now know he was manipulating me. But since things were so rocky, I started paying more attention to the warning signs he was giving off. A new one that went up was his behavior with a female co-worker. And here’s where I made my biggest mistake. Instead of breaking up with him, I got jealous. I mentioned as a “joke” to him a couple of times that he had a thing for her. One day I caught him in a lie about the female co-worker. When I mentioned it and he didn’t say anything I walked away. It was the end of a long weekend shift and I was ready to go home. I went to the employee restroom before heading out. Unfortunately, the night wasn’t over for me. He followed me into the women’s restroom, slamming the door open and almost hitting me with it. He got up in my personal space, yelling and cursing. I tried to leave. He wouldn’t let me. I’m just under five six and at the time I was about one hundred thirty-five pounds. He was a former defensive back. Six foot something and well over two hundred pounds. He stood in the doorway continuing to yell and wouldn’t move when I asked him several times so I could leave. I was trapped in a small bathroom with nowhere to go. No one came to help me. Scared and furious, I spit on him and he finally got out of the way. Was that the wrong move? Absolutely, but I wasn’t sure how else to get him out of the way. I tried again to walk away. I only made it as far as two steps into the restaurant proper before he attacked me. He grabbed my arm, slinging me around. I was wearing a winter coat so I got away from him only because my arm slid out of the sleeve. By the time he was finished yanking me back and forth, the coat was ripped in half and there were goose down feathers all over the smoking section. Again, no one did anything to help. Once I got loose I ran to the lobby and called the police. The good thing is they came pretty quickly. The bad is they weren’t terribly helpful. Didn’t seem to care and advised me not to press charges. He said Bruce was going to be arrested anyway because he had warrants. I was crying, clueless and scared so I said fine. I just wanted to be able to get to my car safely. Knowing he had to spend at least one night in the pokey was enough. As far as I was concerned the relationship and friendship were dead. He didn’t feel the same. He called me a few times, wanting to give me back my stuff. The stuff? A couple of CDs and I think maybe a book. Inconsequential. I told him to keep it or trash it. I didn’t care which. He didn’t. He showed up at my other job – I was a study seminar teacher at a high school, and called me from the parking lot to come outside so we could talk. Yeah, that wasn’t going to happen. When that didn’t work, he had his mom call me asking would I meet with him because he wanted to try and talk things out and to get his stuff back. His stuff was an apartment key and some other small item. I said no I won’t meet with him but I’ll happily mail the key back to him. I did and FINALLY that was that. I never heard from or saw Bruce again. Once Bruce one hundred percent showed his true colors, it was easy for me to end things with him. I didn’t love him at all and I had strong support from my parents who made it clear that wasn’t acceptable behavior for a boyfriend. There was never any question that I would be going back to him. And let's be clear, I'm not saying that I never did anything wrong. It's obvious that I made several mistakes in that relationship. But I didn’t have to keep making them. I was lucky. Many people are not. Many people succumb to the let’s talk, I’m sorry routine. Many people aren’t able to leave because there are children involved or a multitude of other reasons. In writing Miguel’s story, I tried to convey this struggle to escape an abuser with compassion and understanding. Of course, since he’s a fictional character, Miguel’s problems were much, much bigger than mine. I didn’t have to rebuild my life after a short relationship with a guy who turned out to be a jackass. But some of my favorite parts of A Sniper’s Devotion to write were Miguel experiencing how to be on his own. I was proud of him. I hope you’ll be proud of him too. A portion of the proceeds from A Sniper’s Devotion will be donated to the Montrose Center which helps the Houston LGBT Community, including those who are victims of Domestic Violence.
Thanks for reading! Love, Christa Pre-Order A Sniper’s Devotion AMAZON AMAZON UK AMAZON CA KOBO APPLE Visit my website: www.ChristaTomlinson.com Follow me around the internet! Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Goodreads, BookBub View my titles on Amazon Sign up for my Newsletter to receive updates, free reads and more!
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Hello and Happy Sunday! I am in a super-duper good mood because my next book releases in just over two weeks. If you missed it earlier this week, allow me to present to you the cover and blurb for A Sniper’s Devotion. Officer Hector Castillo, a sniper on Houston’s elite SWAT team, is content living alone as a perpetual bachelor. But when he opens up his small apartment to a friend in need, their close quarters awaken long suppressed desires Hector can’t help but acknowledge. Miguel Delgado’s unfortunate detour down a road he never intended to travel ends in a big wake up call, but he vows to get himself back on track. Though he’s always looked up to Hector, Miguel isn’t a kid with hero-worship anymore, and his schoolyard protector has matured into a strong and caring man – who happens to look damn sexy in his SWAT uniform. Though their physical attraction to each other is undeniable, Hector and Miguel try hard to resist and protect their friendship. Until one night changes everything… A Sniper’s Devotion is a loving and sexy, friends to lovers erotic romance. Hector and Miguel’s story is part of the Cuffs, Collars and Love series, but it is a stand-alone novel. Ah, happiness. Hector and Miguel’s story was a joy to write. It made me sad at times, but I really do love the characters. It was also bittersweet, because A Sniper’s Devotion is the last in the Cuffs, Collars and Love series. I’m saying goodbye to my SWAT boys and moving on. Thank you so much to everyone who loved these guys and supported the series. But I have more to share! The first chapter of A Sniper’s Devotion is now up for you to get your eyeballs on. You can scroll to the bottom of this post and read it here. It’s also available on the A Sniper’s Devotion page on my website, where there’s goodies like excerpts and my writing play list. You can also check out the first chapter on my Facebook Page. And that’s not all! (I really missed my calling as an infomercial sales woman) If you’re interested in getting your hands on an e-copy of A Sniper’s Devotion, there are two ways to win. First, you can enter HERE on my website. The only thing you’ll need is your first name, email and book format preference. You can also enter on Library Thing. But it does require you to have an account with them. Both contests begin today October 22nd and end October 29th. Don't forget! Scroll to the bottom to read Chapter 1. Thanks for reading! Love, Christa Visit my website: www.ChristaTomlinson.com Follow me around the internet! Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Goodreads, BookBub View my titles on Amazon Sign up for my Newsletter for freebies, release news and more! Books 1-4 in the Cuffs, Collars & Love series: AMAZON B&N.COM KOBO & APPLE Chapter 1
Hector sighed with exhaustion as he drove up to his apartment building. The long, solitary drive back from his friend's wedding in the Texas Hill Country had tired him out, and the late hour had him ready for bed. Unfortunately, he wouldn’t be going to sleep anytime soon. Drama waited for him inside his apartment. He sighed again. It was a sad day when a man dreaded going into his own home. Hector sucked it up and turned off the ignition. He was here now, so he might as well get in there and find out what the hell was going on. When he walked inside, he immediately noticed the young man sitting on his couch. Though uninvited, he was a friend from long ago, so Hector gave him a relaxed greeting. "Hey, Miguel. How are you?" The dark-haired young man shrugged, a lopsided smile on his handsome face. "Been better." Hector tossed his keys down on the end table. Miguel's mouth was puffy and split, a purplish bruise blooming on his cheek. The sight of the injury put Hector on immediate alert, ready to find out who’d hurt his friend. Before he could ask him about it, the door to his bedroom opened and Hector's mother came out. He didn't bother asking why she was in there with the door closed. From Miguel's face, he knew something had gone down. It’s time for one of my favorite parts of the publishing process: Cover Reveal! The cover for A Sniper’s Devotion officially debuted yesterday on the Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy Blog. But today I’m sharing it for the first time on my own blog. Available November 7th Pre-Order Links AMAZON AMAZON UK AMAZON CA KOBO APPLE Officer Hector Castillo, a sniper on Houston’s elite SWAT team, is content living alone as a perpetual bachelor. But when he opens up his small apartment to a friend in need, their close quarters awaken long suppressed desires Hector can’t help but acknowledge. Miguel Delgado’s unfortunate detour down a road he never intended to travel ends in a big wake up call, but he vows to get himself back on track. Though he’s always looked up to Hector, Miguel isn’t a kid with hero-worship anymore, and his schoolyard protector has matured into a strong and caring man – who happens to look damn sexy in his SWAT uniform. Though their physical attraction to each other is undeniable, Hector and Miguel try hard to resist and protect their friendship. Until one night changes everything… A Sniper’s Devotion is a loving and sexy, friends to lovers erotic romance. Hector and Miguel’s story is part of the Cuffs, Collars and Love series, but it is a stand-alone novel. Isn’t he gorgeous? This is of course Hector Castillo, the cocky sniper from my SWAT team in the Cuffs, Collars & Love world. When it came time to choose a cover model, I narrowed it down to three guys. Then I was stuck! So, I took to all of my social media accounts and put up a poll to help me choose our Hector. By the end of the day, Mr. Smoochy – that’s what we nicknamed him – had run away with it. And I have to say, now that he’s on the cover, I think he’s perfect. I’m happy. But I’m also sad. This is the last book in the CC&L series! No more SWAT for the foreseeable future. I’m getting all teary-eyed and nostalgic when I think back to that first email I sent to Melody Simmons with the details for a cover for The Sergeant. I love what she came up with. Simple, dark and sexy. I originally didn’t have any plans to write a book for Hector, and when I first created the character, I thought he was straight. But as the series went on, he jumped off the page, becoming more and more developed in my mind every time he was in a scene. I loved the back and forth banter he had with Clay and his connection with Ryan. This scene from The Detective's Pleasure is the very moment where I accepted the fact that Hector needed his own book and a boyfriend. You see in my head, Hector had a bit of a secret crush on Ryan. It wouldn’t go anywhere of course, Hector respects Ryan’s relationship with the detective. And Ryan wasn’t the man that would get Hector to acknowledge his attraction to men. Miguel on the other hand… Miguel Delgado is my cutie-patootie. I just love him and want to give him cuddles. Hector thinks he’s adorable too. And that’s why he can’t resist him.
Ah! I’m so excited for you to read this book. A Sniper’s Devotion is a little softer and sweeter than both Logan and Clay’s and Ryan and Sam’s stories. But as I’ve already learned, each couple has their own story to tell and I can’t force them to fit into a mold. A Sniper’s Devotion releases November 7th and is now available for pre-order. Between now and then, I’ll have lots of giveaways and readings and book release related giddiness, so be sure to check my site often and follow me on all my various social media. Oh, what’s that? You want a giveaway for this post? Fiiiine. ;-) Comment below with one thing you like about the CC&L series. One lucky and randomly drawn winner will receive a bit of A Sniper’s Devotion cover art swag. Sadly, I can’t show it to you because it’s not here yet. But trust me, it’s cool. Okay, I’m leaving you now with an excerpt, a Goodreads link so you can add Hector & Miguel to your TBR and pre-order links. Enjoy the rest of your weekend! EXCERPT FROM A SNIPER'S DEVOTION Miguel looked up again as Hector came back out of his bedroom wearing a pair of gray sweats and nothing else. He pressed a little harder with the iron than he needed to when he saw that bare torso. It just wasn't fair how much he loved Hector's chest. Miguel wanted to lie across that broad expanse while Hector played in his hair like he had their one night of shared intimacy. He could just imagine it. They'd both be sated from sex, Hector's golden skin gleaming with sweat from his exertions. And Hector would be gentle and teasing as Miguel came down from his orgasmic high. His fantasy was on the verge of spiraling out of control when Hector sat on the couch, legs slightly spread. Miguel almost burned himself with the iron. He was ninety-nine point nine percent sure Hector wasn't wearing any underwear. Or if he was, they had to be a very loose pair of boxers. Because Miguel could see…everything. The round outline of his balls and the length of his shaft that Miguel knew would be even longer if he were aroused were plainly visible. The sight was as enticing as the devil holding a bucketful of the sweetest candy. As a dental assistant, Miguel knew candy was bad for him. Just like staring at Hector's dick was bad for him. Miguel felt like he'd dodged a bullet as he determinedly looked down at the scrubs he was ironing. After seeing Hector lounging in sweats sans underwear, he was more thankful than ever that he'd made the decision to leave his best friend's bed. (You bet your ass I wrote a forced to share a bed trope scene) Love, Christa Visit my website: www.ChristaTomlinson.com Follow me around the internet! Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Goodreads, BookBub View my titles on Amazon Sign up for my Newsletter A Sniper's Devotion Pre-Order: AMAZON AMAZON UK AMAZON CA KOBO APPLE Add it on Goodreads! |
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