December 20, 2013 by mariaemonteiro

A Sneak Peek of Into You by Danielle Sibarium

I’m so excited that Into You by Danielle Sibarium is now out in stores. And to celebrate Danielle is sharing the first chapter with you guys. Get ready to fall in love with Elizabeth and Carter.

Blurb

“You start out with the best of intentions, but inevitably you hurt each other. I love you, but that didn’t stop me from hurting you last night, or this morning. Love sucks. It’s just the way it is.”

Falling in love is easy. But what happens when that love has been tossed aside and trampled on by the person who swore to cherish it? Can you ever trust again, or will the bitter taste of betrayal keep you from allowing anyone else in?

Carter and Elizabeth each have their own issues with love and trust. Both have had their hearts broken and carry the scars of the past into their relationship with each other. Is love ever enough? Can it overcome?

Carter faces his past with Elizabeth by his side, but it continues to haunt him at every turn. Can he let go and believe in her enough to leave his past behind him or will he push too hard and send her running into another man’s arms?

Chapter 1

Elizabeth

Trying to do the impossible, I transformed myself into a female version of Speed Racer. The pursuit: finding a place to park. I fought through the heavy traffic, cutting off before being cut off. Head first I ducked my car into a spot a block away from the all-night grocery store.

I began my short walk with a deep breath. The rank smell of dead fish brought to mind all the things I missed most about Brooklyn. Aside from the obvious convenience and constant motion, I couldn’t understand why bouts of home sickness had me longing to blanket myself in the haze of exhaust fumes and the deafening noise of the city.

I enjoyed coming home. Especially since graduation. It was lonely in my apartment. Just me, myself and I. I didn’t make the long lasting friendships in college some of my friends back home made. I chose a different route. Sometimes I gave serious consideration to living with a roommate. Unless I wanted to move, there was nothing I could do about it now. Instead I made a point of visiting my parents at least once every two weeks.

Loud, thumping music I could feel in my throat blared out of passing car windows. A red light turned green, which brought with it the sound of screeching tires; that, I didn’t miss: the immature guys cruising down the avenue trying to impress girls with their way-too-loud-base-heavy-music.

Last night had been the first time in months that I stayed overnight. I hadn’t partied like that in ages. Tired and hung over from a night of club hopping with my high school friends, I hoped to get home and in bed early. I certainly didn’t plan on reminiscing with my family. But tonight nostalgia took over.

Once my mother pulled out the old photo albums I knew I wasn’t going anywhere. And the truth is, I didn’t want to. Even my sister put her social life on hold for the evening. The four of us poured over old photographs of life before our digital cameras. I wanted to stay and laugh with my family as each memory captured in the snapshots was brought back to life.

Only now, I wasn’t sure I could make it back to the apartment. Trying to keep my burning eyes open, I decided to stop and grab a snack packed with enough sugar and caffeine to keep me awake for the drive. You’d think just being around the noise and bright lights of Brooklyn would be enough to wake me, but I kept yawning.

I looked around at the stores and shops, most of them were closed, with metal grates covering the windows. That was something you didn’t see much of in Jersey, at least not where I lived. That and the attached stores packed so close together, one on top of the other. The stores and restaurants on the main streets tended to be close, but only for a few blocks. All of Brooklyn had this tight squeezed-in feel.

I’d gotten my fill. I found myself looking to get away from the noise of the cars beeping, buses screeching and music blaring. I wanted to go home. Yearning to feel my cool, crisp sheets cradle my bare skin, I walked faster, looked down at my watch, and yawned.

“Son of a bitch!” a male voice barked as I felt myself bounce off what felt like a brick wall.

I shook it off realizing there are no walls in the middle of the sidewalk. The hard object I bumped into was a man.

“Sorry,” I said, before even looking at him.

The striking young man shook his head annoyed. He looked down at his chest to assess the damage. I followed his gaze, and gasped as I made out the egg carton against his chest oozing with gook.

Without thinking, I reached into my pocket, pulled out a tissue and dabbed at the eggy spot on his suit jacket. I hesitated, embarrassed at the liberty I had taken. With heat filling my face I looked up, and met his eyes for the first time. My stomach tumbled. I stood frozen, mesmerized by his steely grey eyes. In an attempt to hide my awkwardness I pulled my hand away from him.

“Forget it,” the handsome stranger said.

“The yolks on you,” I recovered.

“Very funny,” he snapped.

“I didn’t mean . . .” I looked away, disappointed he didn’t get my humor. Why should he be any different than the rest of the guys I’ve come across? Especially since I left my mark on him.

“Yes, you did,” he said soberly. After a moment he continued. “Good thing I like my eggs scrambled,” the corners of his lips turned up ever so slightly.

I felt as if time stopped. Captivated by the gleam in his bright eyes, I tried to speak. No sound left my mouth. I pulled my eyes from his, once again self-conscious.

It took an instant for me to realize how close we stood. Only a few inches separated me from a very handsome man I had never before laid eyes on. With the return of my senses I realized we were much too close for strangers on a Brooklyn street corner.

I retreated. I thought if I could create a bit of space between us I could catch my breath and regain my composure. The distance helped. But he still unnerved me. Just a quick glance at him through the corner of my eye had me hovering six feet off the ground.

I opened my purse and reached inside, “The least I can do is pay for the dry cleaning.”

With a light touch he placed his hand on my wrist. My whole arm tingled. I never felt anything like that before. I’d read about it in romance novels that suck you in and keep you up at night, but I didn’t know anything like that was real. I looked up and met his eyes.

“I don’t want your money. How about a cup of coffee?”

“You want me to buy you coffee?”

He smiled, showing off his deep dimples, “I want you to join me for a cup of coffee in the café across the street.”

I looked away and shook my head, “I shouldn’t. I have a long drive.”

“You do owe me,” he reminded me with a raised brow.

I pressed my lips into a thin line contemplating the offer. A nervous rumbling in my belly made it clear to me that I wanted to go, really wanted to go with him. But he had me off balance. My heart fluttered like mad. It was late. And I was tired. Or was I?

My nerve endings leaped and swirled since we touched. Not only my nerve endings, my entire body. What better than a cup of Joe to wear off some of the surging adrenaline?

Seeming to understand my hesitation he tried to coax me. “Just a cup of coffee.”

I found myself unable to resist. I broke down. What harm could come of one cup of coffee? I needed caffeine. Caffeine was my friend. That was why I bumped into him in the first place.

“Sure,” I said with a smile, “I’d love to.

Hope you liked the sneak peek. Make sure you pick up your copy at:

Amazon.com

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DanielleSibarium

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sibarium

Website: http://www.daniellesibarium.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18976428-into-you

MAKE SURE TO ALSO CHECK OUT DANIELLE SIBARIUM’S OTHER BOOKS

September 11, 2013 by mariaemonteiro

Because of You Sneak Peek

I’m excited to report that Because of You is now out in Amazon.com BarnesandNoble.com Kobo, and iBooks. Here is the first chapter. Enjoy 🙂

Synopsis:

Six years ago Austin broke Jade’s heart. On that day he went from being her best friend to the person she hates the most.

Now six years later Jade’s life has been turned upside down, the family she once knew no longer exists. Her father’s infidelity has made it hard for her to trust anyone.

That is until she reconnects with the one person she’s despised the most.

Will Austin be able to break through Jade’s wall of anger to get her to trust him? Or will he break her heart again?

Together they will experience the ecstasies and agonies of being in love.

Life is Full of Traitors

My father sits across from me biting his lower lip intensely looking at the menu. I can’t believe he’s covered all his grey hair with a dark brown color. He looks so weird. Like he’s trying too hard to look young. Next thing I know he’ll be getting a piercing or a tattoo. I really hope not. He’s too old for that.

My sister Carrie taps her fingers loudly on her iPhone. It’s beginning to get on my nerves. Why does she have to text her fiancé so much? I don’t understand what they can be talking about that’s so important it can’t wait until later. Ohmigod! I’m beginning to sound like my mother.

Carrie’s heading back to New York City in forty-eight hours and I can’t wait. She’s been driving me crazy all week long. She thinks the world revolves around her and we are all here to serve her. Maybe that’s why she’s so into her fiancé Jeff, his world begins and ends with her.

I glance back at my dad wondering why he chose the same restaurant we used to come to as a family to share his latest news. The last time we were here was the night before he told us he was leaving my mother for that stupid skank. Hopefully this time we’re here so he can tell us he’s finally come to his senses and he has dumped her.

“Do you know what you’re going to have?” he asks, shooting his bright green eyes up to finally make some kind of eye contact with me.

I shake my head no. The smell of grilled steak has been dancing around my nose since we entered the restaurant. I look at my menu and try to decide between steak or a double cheddar bacon burger. They both sound so good. My stomach growls just thinking of taking a bite of either one.

“How about you Carrie?” My father asks her.

“Water and a salad with no dressing,” she coldly answers, without looking up from her phone.

“Don’t you want some real food?”

She shoots her hazel eyes up in horror and states, “Daddy, you know I’m getting married in a year. Do you want me to walk down the aisle looking like a cow?”

“Of course not,” my father says, raising his eyebrows up and down while giving me one of his silly grins.

There’s the father I remember. Once upon a time, he and I were inseparable, always doing things together and having our own private jokes. Carrie and my mother were always jealous of the relationship we shared. But then again they have their own special relationship.

My father was my whole world and couldn’t do anything wrong, that is until he began to see Trisha and destroyed our family. He didn’t only break my mother’s heart he also broke mine. Things really haven’t been the same since then.

The way he’s looking at me right now makes me think we could get that relationship back on track, especially if we’re here for him to tell us he’s done with his midlife crisis.

That’s it, I’m going to order the burger and maybe he’ll have the same. The way we used to.

“Sorry I’m late!” I hear a high pitch sound say shattering my eardrums. My heart bounces off my chest when I see Trisha running towards us in a red dress so short and tight I don’t think it would even fit my old Barbie dolls. Her perfectly styled black hair doesn’t move an inch as she bounces toward us with way too much make-up on her face.

I shut my eyes tightly and imagine her tripping on her five-inch heels, flying across the restaurant, and landing flat on her face. She stands up in horror when she notices her breast implants have popped. Trisha is rushed to the hospital where she’s pronounced dead from silicon poisoning. A wide smile comes across my face at the thought of being at her funeral. What can I say; I hate the bitch.

I open my eyes again and see her standing in front of us with a big idiot smile, showing off her new white teeth. I’m sure another gift from my father. I can’t stand how fake she is. I hope by the time I’m twenty-seven I won’t need as much work as she does to look good.

Trisha knew exactly what she was doing when she dug her acrylic claws into my father, a very successful oral surgeon. She gets anything his money will buy her.

“So, did you tell them yet?” Trisha asks, sliding into the booth right next to my father.

“No. I was waiting for you.” He leans in and gives her a kiss on the lips. Yuck! I think I’ve just lost my appetite.

“Can I take your order?” The waitress asks interrupting their moment of grossness.

“We need another…”

“Yeah, I’ll have the New York strip and lobster, and can I also have an order of the twin lobster tails,” I say, cutting off my father. If he wants me to have dinner with that home wrecker I’m going to make him pay.

“That sounds good. I’ll have the same, but also add a salad with no dressing,” Carrie adds. Sometimes I really love my sister.

“Wow, you guys must be starving,” Trisha observes, “Well, I’ll take a grilled chicken salad with the dressing on the side.”

“The full size or half?” The waitress asks.

“The half size…actually, bring me the full size, since I’m now eating for two,” Trisha announces, now looking at both my sister and I with a huge surprise I just fucked up your life smile.

The waitress quickly congratulates her, while Carrie and I begin to take slow, deep breaths. Did she really just say she’s having a baby? Who’s the father? Please don’t let it be my dad’s. Who am I kidding? Of course it’s his.

My stomach begins to twist in horrible burning knots. I can’t believe she’s having a stupid baby. Does she not know my father is forty-nine? He’s too old to have another child. I bet she’s just trying to trap him into staying with her.

That bitch!

“Are you serious?” Carrie hollers.

“Yes. I’m due at the end of May. Are you guys excited? You’re going to be older sisters,” Trisha cheers as if this is all good news.

“I’m already an older sister. Dad, how could you? Does Mom know?” Carrie’s body trembles with fury. While I feel myself shrinking as tremors of terror spiral through me.

“Yes. I told her last night.” No wonder she looked so unhappy today, my poor mother. “She agreed I could be the one to tell you girls. Carrie, Trisha and me are in love. We want to have a family together.”

Each word coming out of his mouth pierces my body with pure venom draining every drop of life out of me. “Excuse me,” I mumble, trying to get out of the booth. Carrie stands up and allows my escape.

I look at my father and want to yell at him, “You already have a family! You just fucked it up by leaving us for her! I hope you and your new child will be very happy together!” But I don’t say anything. Instead I begin to walk towards the door. I need to get out of here.

“Jade! Where are you going? Come back here right now!” My father orders, making everyone in the restaurant turn and stare at me. I take a deep breath and take off running before anyone can see me cry like a bawling baby.

I run out the door into the hot sticky August night air just as my tears begin to stream down my face. How can my father do this to us? Aren’t Carrie and me enough for him? How could he think this was something to celebrate? I will never forgive him for this.

I continue running, trying to breath in the thick air. I run down the parking lot until SMACK! My body bounces right off someone’s hard chest and fall backwards onto the inflexible wet ground.

“Whoa! Are you okay?” I hear a deep voice ask. He gives me his warm hand and helps me up.

“Yeah,” I answer, as the pain throbbing in my chest now travels down my body.

“Are you sure?” I look up at him and roll my eyes in revulsion. Why out of everyone in the world, do I have to bump into Austin Evans? He makes me sick.

His dark eyes narrow with concern and I remember I have tears in my eyes. He must think he’s the one who hurt me.

I yank my arm out of his grip. “Yeah. I’m fine.”

“Look, if you’re hurt…”

“I said I’m fine.” I continue to walk down the parking lot. I have no idea where I’m going. My dad drove so it’s not like I have a ride. Damn it!

“Hey,” Austin calls out running behind me.

“What?” I don’t stop walking.

“You don’t look like you’re okay. Do you need me to call someone for you? Or…”

“No. Just leave me alone,” I spit out, without looking back. I don’t need this right now. All I want to do is crawl under my covers and cry my eyes out.

“Where’re you going?”

I don’t say a word.

“Do you…”

“Austin!” A girl calls out. This time we both stop walking and look back at Leah Turner with her lips twisted up into a phony smile. Of course it’s her! Where ever Austin is Leah is sure to follow. “Where are you going?”

“Nowhere. I was just making sure that umm…” He looks at me once again acting like he doesn’t know my name. He’s so full of shit. I can’t stand him.

“Jade,” I remind him.

His look of concern disappears as the corners of his mouth point up producing an annoying smile. “I know who you are, Jade Miller.”

Does he want an award or something for remembering my whole name?

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“She looks fine,” Leah calls out trying her best to sound sweet.

Leah and me do not have a good relationship. She blames me for our cheerleading team losing at finals last year. It’s not my fault I walked out half way through the routine. My dad had just sat down with Trisha, and instead of watching his daughter cheer he was too busy shoving his old tongue into her disgusting mouth. Just another thing my father is responsible for ruining.

“Look, she’s right. I’m fine,” I reassure him, wanting to get away from him and this moment.

“Where are you going?” he asks.

“Home.” I turn around and continue to walk away from him.

He follows right behind me again. “Do you need a ride?”

“Aren’t you on a date or something?”

“What? No. I’m meeting a couple of friends, but it’s okay. I can take you home.” I spin back around to see him smile again making his dimples appear. I hate those damn things. They drive all the girls at school wild, but they have the opposite affect on me.

A long time ago Austin was my best friend. He was the person who I shared all my secrets with. He was the person who knew I broke my sister’s iPod. He was the person who held me when my grandma died. He knew everything about me as I knew everything about him. But that was six years ago. Now all I know about him is his growing list of hook ups, while all he knows about me is my name.

“Jade!” I turn my head and see my sister marching out of the restaurant with the same tears I had in my eyes. “This is all bullshit. Come on, Mom is on her way. I told her we’d meet her across the street.”

Austin’s face falls. “I guess you don’t need that ride.”

“No. I don’t.”

I begin to walk towards my sister. “Hey Jade?”

I whirl back around to face him. “Yeah?” What the hell does he want now?

“There’s a party on the beach tomorrow night. Are you going?”

“I don’t know. Why?”

“I just thought it might help cheer you up. You can never be sad at a party.” He smiles his big goofy smile again. “Maybe we can hang out.”

Did he really just say that? “I don’t think so.”

“Why? Is it cause your boyfriend will get mad?”

“No. It’s because I can’t stand you!” I turn back around and stomp away. I’m not in the mood to inform him Garret and I broke up two weeks ago.

Available at:

Amazon