Waiting on Wednesday!

So today I want to bring everyone's attention to this super awesome book that I am really looking forward to reading!  The Forgotten One's by Laura Howard sounds super awesome! 

The Forgotten Ones 

Author: Laura Howard

Expected Release: May 13th

And now, I have a super exciting surprise for you!  Laura sent me a teaser for The Forgotten Ones!  I'm so excited, and this teaser will definitely whet your appetite! Thanks Laura! ;)

“Allison?” Ethan's voice was soft and serious, sounding warning bells in my mind.

“Mm hmm?” I was afraid to look at him, afraid of the way he said my name.

“I want to know why you never date,” he said.

I opened my mouth, but I couldn't come up with an appropriate answer so I closed it.

“You could have anyone you wanted. Why is it you're always alone?” I could feel his eyes on me as I stared into the star-studded night.

I sighed, trying to think of the right response, one he would understand.

“I guess I'm just always busy.”

He chuckled. “Everyone gets busy. You have to give me a better reason than that.”

My mouth felt like cotton. Why did I have such a hard time forming coherent sentences when he was looking at me?

I licked my lips and looked over at him. He stared directly into my eyes. The question still hung between us.

“I want to take care of my mother. It's all I want.” I curled my fingers into fists and pulled my shoulders back, looking back up at the stars. I'd had this conversation countless times over the years.

“I know you do,” he said softly. I glanced back at him, surprised he wasn't telling me that what I wanted was ridiculous. “But... who will take care of you?”

“I will take care of me.” I shook my head sadly. “My whole life everyone has had to take care of me. My grandparents, my aunt and uncle. They all sacrificed so much for me.”

“You act like it's your fault. But, it's not.”

Now I was back on familiar territory. “Before I was born my mother was normal. When I came along she began her descent into schizophrenia. You don't think that's connected?”

He shifted in his seat. “I just know sometimes things happen. Things that can't be explained. But, you deserve to be happy.”

I glanced over at him before looking down at my hands. I uncurled my fingers. “I am happy. I'm enrolling in grad school, working and saving the money I make at the store. It's what I want.”

“But, what about friends? What about fun?”

“My idea of fun is just different from yours, I guess. I don't need to be with a lot of people to be happy.” I hoped he would pick up the double entendre of my answer.

Ethan sighed and turned his body to face mine. He reached up and lightly traced a finger down my cheek.

A shiver ran through my body. I turned my face away and focused my attention on finishing my ice cream. There were people everywhere. I didn't want what happened between me and Ethan to be the subject of their gossip.

“Thanks for coming tonight,” Ethan said, unaffected. He reached down and picked up my left hand, interlacing his strong fingers with mine. “It seems like I've been trying to get you to go out with me forever.”

I stared down at our joined hands. “Ethan, you've never had a lack of dates. I'd even say you've had more than your fair share.”

He ducked his head and laughed. “You think I'm a jerk, don't you?”

I looked at him and smiled. “No. I don't, actually. What you did today, for my grandparents – that was really great. Thank you.”

“You're welcome. It was no big deal.” He squeezed my hand and jumped down from the tailgate. “But I'm going to take you home now, while you still think I'm so great.”

Blurb:  Allison O'Malley just graduated from college. Her life's plan is to get a job and take care of her schizophrenic mother. She doesn't have room for friends or even Ethan, who clearly wants more.

When Allison's long-lost father shows up, he claims he can bring her mother back from the dark place her mind has sent her. He reveals legends of a race of people long forgotten, the Tuatha de Danaan, along with the truth about why he abandoned her mother.