Excerpt & Giveaway: Running on Empty by L.B. Simmons
Today we are thrilled to be sharing an exclusive excerpt from author L.B. Simmons debut, Running on Empty—a novel about seconds chances in life and love. About a woman finding true happiness after suffering through a tragic loss.
We are also giving away one digital copy of Running on Empty to a random (and lucky) reader!
I turn my hand over and stroke his cheek. He puts his head down and I force him to look at me again.
“Shh, Blake. That’s enough. I don’t want to hear any of that right now. Derek’s death was tragic. It was heartbreaking. It was too much for me some days. But you listen to me. There is nothing you could have done if you were here that would have protected me from that pain. You need to know that. You need to believe that. I’m not going to waste time rehashing this crap, especially now that I finally have you back in my life. It happened. It’s over. I’m fine. End of story. I refuse to listen to you tear yourself up over something you had no control over.”
He says nothing more. He just grabs my wrist and pulls my body into his, being careful not to hurt my hand. He rests his cheek on top of mine and whispers solemnly into my ear, “Never again, Alex. Never. Again.”
He leaves his cheek against mine and I feel his breath in my ear. He wraps his big arms around me and we stay like that for some time. The warmth from the closeness of our bodies and the heat of his breath in my ear cause my heart rate to triple. Yet, with my heart beating a million miles a minute, I feel a strange calm. I want to let go of everything. I want to sink my body into his and let him be strong for me. I want to let him take my pain, my sadness, my exhaustion…everything that keeps me from being truly happy. I want his arms to stay around me… his warmth and protection. But as a familiar lump forms in my throat, I know this will never happen.
I can’t allow it.
I won’t allow it.
Blake is more right than he could possibly know.
Never. Again.
Running on Empty by L.B. Simmons
I had the perfect life.
Beautiful and loving husband.
Three gorgeous little girls.
Successful career.
The only thing missing was the white picket fence. I really wanted that fence.
Three years ago, I lost that life. I lost my husband. And I lost myself. But, eventually, I found my way through the darkness. I’ve made peace with my new life. I have my girls, and that’s all that matters. They are my world. I have no illusions of ever falling in love again or getting whisked away on a white horse.
But then he came back into my life. On a freakin’ motorcycle.
There’s no way I’ll let him turn my life completely upside down. Absolutely no way.
The question is…
How long can I keep pretending that I’m happy with my life being right-side up?
| About the Author
L.B. Simmons is a graduate of Texas A&M University and holds a degree in Biomedical Science. She has been a practicing Chemist for the last 11 years. She lives with her husband and three daughters in Texas and writes every chance she gets. Find L.B. Simmons Online:Blog | Twitter | Facebook |
Giveaway!
One randomly drawn reader will win a digital copy of L.B. Simmons’ Running on Empty! Open Internationally. Please follow the Rafflecopter widget directions and terms and conditions. Giveaway ends at 12:01am on 1/18/13.
Please leave us a comment telling us what you love most about second chance romances!
You know what you did wrong the first time it should be easy the second time..
ReplyDeleteI love the getting to know each other again phase! You still have the live there buy you still need to learn what each other is about
ReplyDelete:) Hello
ReplyDeleteMy favorite ting about them is probably he fact that me and my husband had a second chance.
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing like reading about two people rekindling an old flame. :)
ReplyDeleteSecond chances seem to always come when you least expect and tend to sweep you off your feet!
ReplyDeleteSecond chances are about finding love and having those first time feelings with someone again....
ReplyDeleteI love watching the characters get to know each other all over again :)
ReplyDeleteI love the fight that one has to prove something to the other...
ReplyDeletei'd love to fix everything wrong in the past and learn to make everything perfect in the future..
ReplyDeleteI love that they usually have a happy ending even trough bad times.
ReplyDeleteSabrina D.
knowing your mistakes and accepting them.
ReplyDeleteThe Chance to make it better!
ReplyDeleteSecond chance romances give you an opportunity to try again with what you have learned. They allow for first love opportunities to come to fruition!
ReplyDeleteWho doesn't appreciate a do-over? :)
ReplyDeleteyou know what you did wrong the first time it should be easy the second time..
ReplyDeleteKnowing you get the chance to do over what you did wrong the first time.
ReplyDeleteI love second chances and fighting for love. It's what makes it all worth it.
ReplyDeleteThis has been on my TBR, and I can't wait to get my hands on it! Win it or buy it, it's mine!
ReplyDeletewant to read it!!
ReplyDeleteI love that there is always the possibility of finally getting it right after you screwed it up the first time!
ReplyDelete