Books Direct: "The Coupling" by Cathrine Goldstein

GUEST POST and GIVEAWAY

The Coupling
(The Letting Book 2)

by Cathrine Goldstein

The Coupling is the second book in The Letting series by Cathrine Goldstein. It is due for release on 15 February but is currently available for pre-order. Also available: The Letting (read my blog post).

The author stops by today to share a guest post, an excerpt from the book, and a giveaway. This book tour is brought to you by YA Bound Book Tours. Please be sure to visit the other tour stops as well.

Description

In Ronnie Billings’ dystopian world, surviving the Letting and breaking free of a corrupt government is less of a surprise than falling in love with Phoenix Day, the leader of the Peaceful Revolution ...

When the government sentences Ronnie to a Coupling under the guise of producing a coveted blood type, Ronnie discovers the one she’s slated to Couple with expects even more.

Prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice to save those she loves most, Ronnie devastates Phoenix with her impossible decision. Whisked away from her rebel life to another world ravaged by despair, Ronnie meets her greatest nemesis ... her biological father.

Steeling her nerves against the dangers of escape, she embarks on the perilous journey back. She is convinced she belongs with Phoenix and his revolution, but will her friends, and especially Phoenix, be ready to accept her when she returns? Because this time, evil is in her blood ...

Book Video

Excerpt

“Phoenix?”

“Trust me, Ron.”

I nod, my hands suddenly shaking. He takes them into his hand and lifts them to his mouth. He kisses my fingers softly.

“You’re grieving right now—I would never take advantage of you. But…”

I take a deep breath.

He lets go of my hands and reaches out toward the still unbuttoned top two buttons of my shirt. The collar lays open, and his fingers trace the hollow of my throat. “You look gorgeous in my shirt.”

His eyes are locked on me, and I feel overpowered but safe all at once. There’s a strange ache in my body, answering to the hunger in his eyes.

“It is by far the most beautiful you have ever looked.”

My eyes dart up as he reaches out to touch the next button. He studies me as he slowly begins to unbutton. My entire body warms, and I bite down hard on my bottom lip. He abandons my button to run his fingers across my lips once more. I try to remember to breathe. As he reaches down for the next button, my breathing becomes shallow and rapid. His eyes are locked on mine as he works my shirt. His hands are level with my breasts, and he moves his head to the side, questioning me with his glance, as if he’s waiting for me to stop him. I don’t.

He moves to the next button, and I close my eyes. I feel dizzy and unsteady on my feet—but in a whole different way than before. He has me unbuttoned almost to my bellybutton, although I’m still covered. Still staring into my eyes, he finishes unbuttoning my shirt. He begins to open it slowly.

“Phoenix…” I reach out and grab his hands, instinctually.

He stops. I am both terrified and enthralled.

He raises his eyebrows. “No?”

I don’t answer. The heartbeat pulsing in my head drowns out my thoughts.

“Ron?”

I let his hands go and breathe deeply. I close my eyes for a moment and then open them. I smile nervously, biting the inside of my cheek. I take another breath and manage to nod slightly. He smiles at me and reaches out for my shirt again. He opens it gently.

“Phoenix…” I am sweating and my breathing is shallow, as my body waits for his touch.

His eyes dart down from my eyes to my opened shirt. “You are so incredibly beautiful—”

Praise for the Book

"Cathrine Goldstein's The Coupling, Book 2 in The Letting series, continues the epic tale of Veronica Billings and Phoenix to save the world that's only now coming into focus for Veronica. Goldstein has painted a story filled with shocking twists and turns, despicable villains, and a hero in Veronica readers will long remember." ~ Michael Murphy, Bestselling author of The Jake and Laura Mystery series

"Once again, Cathrine Goldstein has unfurled a deeply satisfying and disturbing adventure into a dystopian society. Dive into The Coupling - but make sure you hold your breath before you jump - you'll be pulled right in from chapter one." ~ Kristen Rutherford, Writer: The Nerdist Show, How To Be A Grown-Up

Guest Post by the Author

The Coupling Character Profiles

PHOENIX:

Name: Phoenix Day.

Age: Eighteen

Physical Description: Incredibly tall and strong. He has tousled dark hair, and a dark, short, scruffy beard. His eyes are deep blue - in The Letting, Ronnie describes his eyes as: “…His eyes are the color of a moment. That fleeting moment when the summer sky is so perfectly blue you know everything must be right in the world.” He is breathtakingly handsome and brilliant.

Profession: Leader of the Peaceful Revolution and now the reconnaissance mission to HopeLess World.

Traits: Sees the good in everyone. Believes in peace above all else. Learns from the wisdom of the ancients - especially Gandhi. Loves Ronnie with every ounce of his being.

Strengths: Confident, always in control, with great amounts of magnetism. Intelligent.

Flaws: Jealousy, and a desire to harm anyone who may ever hurt Ronnie.

Ambitions: To protect Ronnie at all costs, while righting their world.

Skills: Great with his hands, can build anything with wood. Passionate but calm under pressure. An excellent leader. Daring, brave, courageous. Both physically and mentally strong.

Motivations: Injustice motivates Phoenix to help his world. Ronnie motivates him in all other ways.

Favorite color: Deep brown, the color of Ronnie’s eyes.

Favorite food: Ravioli - in particular, the ravioli he shared with Ronnie that first time they were alone in his cabin.

Favorite song: In their dystopian world, music is a luxury they don’t know. However, one of Phoenix’s favorite songs would be, “Wherever You Will Go” by The Calling.

Wardrobe: Usually wears camouflage, but knows Ronnie loves him in jeans and t-shirts. Almost always carries a rifle.

Goals: Equality in their world - and to be with Ronnie, always.

RONNIE:

Name: Veronica “Ronnie” Billings

Age: Seventeen

Physical Description: Almost six feet tall, with very long jet black hair, and almond-shaped eyes. Ronnie is exotic, she is a mix of her ancestors who were the “Natives,” and, people who came from, “An exotic place on the other side of the world; a thriving place which once was painted in the color red.” Ronnie is beautiful and extremely intelligent, although she doesn’t realize it.

Profession: One time Head Leader of a camp that brought young girls to the Lettings, now works with Phoenix in his Peaceful Revolution.

Traits: Also sees the good in everyone. Is willing to sacrifice herself for the sake of those she loves most. Fights tirelessly for what she believes in. Loves with her whole heart. Loves to swim. Terrified of thunderstorms.

Strengths: Bold and strong. Brave. Intelligent.

Flaws: Doesn’t know how smart she is. Blames herself for her past as the Leader who had singularly brought more young girls to the Lettings than any other Leader in history.

Ambitions: To end the Lettings and the Couplings. To protect those last little girls - the type “O” blood types - still in her care. To aid Phoenix in his quest to lead a Peaceful Revolution and bring equality and hope to their world.

Skills: Great leader. Excellent with children. Thinks on her feet—solves many problems.

Motivations: Love motivates Ronnie. Her love for the girls in her care, for her friends, and especially, Phoenix.

Favorite color: Deep blue, the color of Phoenix’s eyes.

Favorite food: Ravioli - in particular, the ravioli she shared with Phoenix that first time they were alone in his cabin.

Favorite song: There isn’t much music in their dystopian world, but, “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri would be a favorite of Ronnie.

Wardrobe: Usually wears black tank tops and camouflage, but when with Principal Leader Farnsworth, wears gowns and business attire she detests.

Goals: To bring peace to her world, to receive an education, and to be with Phoenix … always.

About the Author

I am a bestselling author of gritty romance novels, and a New York City girl at heart.

I am the author of The Letting series, Book 1: The Letting, and Book 2: The Coupling; and I also write romance and steamy women's fiction novels, including, Sleeping With Mortals: The Story of a New York Mistress. In fall 2016, I will be launching a new series, The New York Artists series, featuring strong, talented men, and the surprising women they fall for.

I have my B.A. in English and my M.A. in Theatre. I began my career as an award-winning playwright, and I am a proud member of Romance Writers of America (RWA).

I am addicted to Luna bars, decaf coffee, yoga (yoga clothes), and I find my best writing ideas come from sweat sessions on my treadmill. I love the works of many authors, my favorites include Hemingway and Bukowski. These days I read a lot of Shel Silverstein and Mo Willems--which brings me to my reason for reading these modern masters, the absolute loves of my life: my two young girls, and my husband (who reads grown-up books, too.)