EXCERPT and GIVEAWAY
Ophelia
(Love and Loss Book 1)
(Love and Loss Book 1)
by Jude Ouvrard
Ophelia, the first book in Jude Ouvrard's new Love and Loss series, has just been released. You can read an excerpt and enter the giveaway for a chance to win some great prizes.
For more books by this author, please read my blog post on Under the Sun and my blog post on Wonderland.
Description
For teenage musical prodigy Ophelia Stewart, life couldn't be better. She has a loving family, a friend who is closer than a sister, and big professional dreams to pursue. But Ophelia’s perfect world is shattered when a disaster claims her parents and forces her into a center for emotionally damaged children where she is required to finish her senior year far from her best friend. Lost and alone, Ophelia tries to cut herself off from connecting with the other young people there, however one of them, Teodore de Luca, refuses to be put off. Breaking through her restraint, the young man insinuates himself into her life, where he becomes her new support system.
What can the future hold for them? Ophelia still has big dreams to pursue. Is there really a place for Teo in them? How can she chose between the man she loves and her passion for music? Can she ever truly commit herself to him? Or is their love destined to be crushed under the weight of her career?
Excerpt
The sun was beginning to rise when I heard noises coming from the front door. Small knocks echoed in the cabin. Who could it be? I didn’t have friends here. It scared me but the curiosity stopped from going back to bed. I hope it wasn’t some jackass playing games on me. Quietly, I tiptoed to the door and opened it just a little to see who was hiding behind it.
“Baby?” My voice broke with emotion. “You travelled all the way here?” I jumped into his arms and kissed every inch of his face. I never expected to see him. My heart filled with joy, I couldn’t believe he was standing there at my door.
“For you, Ophelia, only for you, my baby. I love you so much.” He returned my kiss and his arms took me in a warm embrace. I missed those strong arms around me so much. I wanted to stay there forever.
“Come on in. It’s small but big enough for us.” I let him enter, never letting go of his hand, never leaving his sight. So many emotions were expressed only by the look in our eyes.
He let his backpack fall on the floor and he lift me into his arms. “You are gorgeous, baby, you are so fucking perfect. I want to give you the world and make you happy.” He laughed out of breath. “I’ve been thinking about what I would say to you for over sixteen hours, but seeing you here, now. There is only one thing you need to know. I’m in love with you and I want to share my life with you.”
“That makes two things,” I teased. “I am, too.” The words rolled off my tongue. “I’ve always love you and always will.”
We stood facing each other. Our past had been quite confusing at times. He’d waited for me, but whenever I was home, we were one. We acted like a couple, we were very involved physically. That was always our thing, our connection.
“Hearing you, seeing you telling me that you love me is everything I’ve ever wished for. I want to spoil you, make you see how happy you make me.”
“Show me.” I pulled him to me, holding his t-shirt. His touch had always meant everything to me. When we met, I’d been craving any kind of human affection. I wanted to be loved, I needed someone to hug me and make me feel safe and he was exactly that for me. Teo gave me the strength I needed to go on with my life.
“There is nothing else I rather do.” His lips crushed mine, taking possession of me. Our lips parted and our tongues met, hungry with desire. My hands hunted the skin of his waist, lifting off his t-shirt and feeling the warmth emanating for his body.
Teo didn’t waste more time, he removed the only clothing I was wearing, which was one of his old t-shirt that I had stolen before leaving.
“Baby, look at you, you’re incredibly sexy.” He whispered, nibbling on my earlobe.
My desire for him had me all mixed up. I wanted to push him on the couch, I wanted to undress him. I needed him to show me how much he loved me. “Let me get you out of that top.” I said, lifting it over his head and dropping it on the floor. I let my hands dance on his chest, enjoying the feel of his skin under my fingers. His muscles hardened under my touch.
“You’re driving me crazy.”
I chuckled shyly. My fingers grabbed hold of the belt of his jeans, pulling him toward my bedroom. The bed had to be the best place for what we had in mind. I undid his belt and unbuttoned his pants as we walked toward the room. His lips trailed a line of kisses from my lips to my jaw and then to the hollow of my neck. It sent shivers all over my body making my nipples pucker. I pushed his pants and underwear down and pulled him into the bed with me.
“You have no idea how many nights I’ve wished to have you here with me. You are the one I love Teo.”
“I love you. I’m never getting rid of you. Look at you,” he said admiring my body, feeling my breast with his hands. “You’re everything. My everything.”
With my both hands, I held his face and looked at him. Love reflected into his eyes and I hope he could see how much love I had in mine. I needed him to see it, to feel it. I had never loved someone that hard. It scared me but I knew he would always have my back. I trusted that he would find the perfect words to make me feel secure.
“I could get used to that look on your face. The one that says, oh Teo, you’re the man of my fantasies, the one I’ve been dreaming of all my life.” He mimicked my voice.
We both laughed.
“You’re an ass.”
“It was the first promise I made you, and I keep my promises.” He kissed my lips languorously. “I don’t know why it feels so different. We’ve been doing this for a very long time but it feels like it’s the first time in all those times that I own you, that you really are mine.”
“It’s because you do, I’m yours, baby, I’m yours.” I sighed. “I’m sorry that I kept you waiting all this time. It was very selfish of me. I can’t believe that you’re still here wanting me.”
He smiled and nodded. Maybe he was happy hearing me acknowledge all the effort he had made over the years.
“Enough talking now. I need to show my girl how much I missed her.”
Featured Review
By Tami Adams
Ophelia has suffered the most devastating of blows in her young life. It shapes and defines her into adulthood. She pushes forward to achieve her bucket list with her boyfriend, Teo, and her BFF, Bev, by her side. Through it all, she sees herself weak while others around her see the strength and perseverance. When push comes to shove, does Ophelia have the inner strength to fight for everything her heart and soul desires?
The story is solid and captivating. The characters are flawed and realistic. I wanted more. The only thing I found I disliked about this book was the two words "The End".
About the Author
Jude was born and raised in a small village named Lacolle. She now lives in Montreal, Canada. She is the proud mother of a beautiful five year old son, and has spent the last thirteen years with her partner, Cedric.
French is her native language, but she prefers to write in her second language, English.
Besides working full time and being a mother, Jude has a passion for books, both reading and writing them.
Her first novella, Under the Sun, was released July 2013. It is part of an anthology called Heat Wave. Her second novella, Wonderland, released in March 2014, and has hit the bestselling rank. Lost Dreams, a military romance, was published in May 2014 and Body, Ink, and Soul in June 2014.
She is currently working on her novel Music, Ink, and Love and is hoping to publish early 2015.
Giveaway
Enter the tour-wide giveaway for a chance to win some great prizes.
Links
