HATED IS AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER!

I'm so excited to share with you that Hated, the third book in the Hearts of Stone series, is now available for pre-order on Amazon...and for less than a dollar!

SYNOPSIS

***Can be read as a standalone***

Frankie DiGorgio has returned home for the summer to fix up and sell the home she grew up in. But when Frankie discovers Austin Stone is also back home and right next door, her summer suddenly seems more exciting than the motocross tracks she races on. 

Four years ago, Austin was her best friend. Her first love. The only boy who saw more than just her rough edges. 
But Austin left Frankie behind to perform in Las Vegas with his brother Dallas after winning Rising Stars. And Frankie didn’t wait around for him. Instead, she disappeared with no explanation and she hasn’t spoken to Austin since then. 

Austin hates Frankie now. 

Unfortunately, they’re next door neighbors again and Frankie and Austin can’t avoid each other anymore. With little more than bitterness, heartbreak, and secrets between them, they soon find themselves reverting to their childhood habits—prank wars. As Frankie and Austin’s past is put back together and old feelings resurface, they discover it’s a fine line between love and hate. 

And the secrets Frankie has kept could cross the line right into hate. 

PRE-ORDER ON AMAZON!

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Hitched is Now Live!

I'm so happy to announce that Hitched, the second book in the Hearts of Stone series, is now live and I can't wait for you to read it! And for a limited time, it's available for less than a dollar! Hitched can be read as a standalone, but if you'd like to read Hooked, it's on sale too.

Where can you buy it?

➡ Amazon

➡ iBooks

➡ B&N

➡ Kobo

Get Hooked for under a dollar too!

➡ Amazon

➡ iBooks

➡ B&N

➡ Kobo

Synopsis:

For aspiring journalist Harlow Ransom, life is just a well-oiled machine, and if she plans well, all things will go accordingly. And that is exactly why Harlow lives her life by perfectly polished to-do lists that she refuses to stray from—even when she's celebrating her 21st birthday in Sin City. 

1. Visit the Boom Boom Blues Lounge2. See the water show at the Bellagio 

Things can't possibly go askew if she crosses things off her list one by one. But after a night of celebrating leads to waking up in bed with a sexy stranger and a ring on her finger, Harlow realizes that in no point in time did she ever have "Get Married" on her trusty to-do list. Yet that's exactly what she did. 

Professional snowboarder Trace Stone loves a good challenge—he's all about the win. And this time, he's going to find a way to win over the feisty, meticulous Harlow. The wedding may have been spontaneous and impulsive, but when he said "forever," he meant it. Now, the only thing he wants on Harlow's to-do list is him—from this day forward.

Check out my website for information on my books, giveaways, and other fun stuff.

Visit me on Goodreads to see all of my reviews. 

HEARTS OF STONE

I Have an Exciting Announcement to Make! 

Hooked has gotten a new look for its two year book birthday! Included in this new edition is two short stories: Hooked Ever After & Hooked for the Holidays.
Currently available on Amazon and iBooks.

And in addition, Hooked is now part of a series, Hearts of Stone. Book two, Hitched, will release this spring and book 3, Hated, will release this summer. Stay tuned for more information on actual release dates!


HITCHED SYNOPSIS:

For aspiring journalist Harlow Ransom, life is just a well-oiled machine, and if she plans well, all things will go accordingly. And that is exactly why Harlow lives her life by perfectly polished to-do lists that she refuses to stray from—even when she's celebrating her 21st birthday in Sin City.

1.  Visit the Boom Boom Blues Lounge

2.  See the water show at the Bellagio

Things can't possibly go askew if she crosses things off her list one by one.  But after a night of celebrating leads to waking up in bed with a sexy stranger and a ring on her finger, Harlow realizes that in no point in time did she ever have "Get Married" on her trusty to-do list. Yet that's exactly what she did. 

Professional snowboarder Trace Stone loves a good challenge—he's all about the win.  And this time, he's going to find a way to win over the feisty, meticulous Harlow.  The wedding may have been spontaneous and impulsive, but when he said "forever," he meant it.  Now, the only thing he wants on Harlow's to-do list is him—from this day forward. 

Check out my website for information on my books, giveaways, and other fun stuff.

Visit me on Goodreads to see all of my reviews. 

THE SOPHISTICATES BOXED SET IS AVAILABLE!

Get the Entire Trilogy for Under $1!

**The Boxed Set includes all three books — Deviation, Conviction, and Redemption — and a bonus short story, Vindication!** 

SYNOPSIS

After a terrorist attack that caused more than 29 million deaths in the US, the government created the Sophisticates—genetically modified children designed to become the perfect soldiers. The Sophisticates were given abilities that made them faster, smarter, and stronger. The only thing they weren’t given was freedom. 

But is anything ever truly perfect? 

Seventeen-year-old Cleo has been a Sophisticate her entire life. When she begins to exhibit the ability to cause things to explode with merely a thought, she’s sent to the Academy to develop her deviation. She soon learns that there are other Sophisticates like her, Deviants with lethal skills. 

Immersed in a deadly game of supernatural powers and dubious motives, Cleo doesn’t know who to trust. Ozzy, the golden boy of the Sophisticates program, insists that Cleo should abandon training her deviation. His fierce interest in Cleo only makes her more determined to avoid him. 

As Cleo is pulled deeper into her role as a human weapon, all she truly wants is to be free, but there's more danger than she ever realized. There are some things that even the government doesn’t know and when the mistakes of the past are revealed and the Deviants start fighting back, no one is safe. 

Fans of X-men and The Darkest Minds will enjoy this dystopian trilogy.

Buy the boxed set on Amazon for only $0.99 for a limited time!

Visit me on Goodreads to see all of my reviews. 
Check out my website for information on my books, giveaways, and other fun stuff.

THE COLOR OF US IS NOW LIVE!

The Color of Us is now live and as a gift to our readers, Laura and I are making the ebook available for $.99 for one day only through Amazon. This book can be read as a standalone, so buy it while deal is hot!

Eighteen year old Alexis Sinclair is lost in the darkness of grief. Since the death of her sister in a car accident, she can’t find the will to get out and enjoy life again. When she’s forced to face her biggest fear and take a summer Driver’s Ed course, she’s surprised to find hope in the most unlikely person.

Liam O’Connell is trouble. He isn’t proud of his dark past, and he knows Alexis is the one girl he has no business pursuing. Doing the right thing has never been easy for him, but this time, it just might be impossible.

The perfect girl and troubled boy are all wrong for each other, but as Liam helps Alexis cope with her grief, they realize nothing has ever felt more right.  

That is, until Alexis uncovers a secret about Liam that breaks her heart.

Liam knows he can’t allow the one good thing in his life to walk away without a fight, and he’s determined to convince Alexis they can find their way out of the darkness together.

Can he prove he’s worthy of her, or is some love too tainted to be saved? 

BUY THE COLOR OF US ON AMAZON!

AUTHOR BIOS & LINKS

Laura Ward lives in Maryland with her loud and very loving three children and husband. She married her college sweetheart and is endlessly grateful for the support he has given her through all their years together, and especially toward her goal of writing books. When not picking up toy trucks, driving to lacrosse practice, or checking spelling homework, Laura is writing or reading romance novels. Her debut novel, NOT YET, is a Top 100 Amazon Bestseller.

Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads

The first thing Christine does when she's getting ready to read a book is to crack the spine in at least five places. She wholeheartedly believes there is no place as comfy as the pages of a well-worn book. She's addicted to buying books, reading books, and writing books. Books, books, books. She also has a weakness for adventure, inappropriate humor, and coke (the caffeinated, bubbly kind). Christine is from Forest Hill, Maryland where she lives with her husband, three kids, and her library of ugly spine books. 

Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads

Cover Reveal for The Color of Us!

Today is the day to reveal the cover of The Color of Us! Laura and I are so excited to share this story with you. Scroll down for the cover, synopsis, teaser, excerpt, and full cover wrap. Let us know what you think. And don't forget to add it to Goodreads!

Title: The Color of Us (College Bound #2)

Authors: Laura Ward & Christine Manzari

Release Date: June 20, 2016

Add to Goodreads

Eighteen year old Alexis Sinclair is lost in the darkness of grief. Since the death of her sister in a car accident, she can’t find the will to get out and enjoy life again. When she’s forced to face her biggest fear and take a summer Driver’s Ed course, she’s surprised to find hope in the most unlikely person.

Liam O’Connell is trouble. He isn’t proud of his dark past, and he knows Alexis is the one girl he has no business pursuing. Doing the right thing has never been easy for him, but this time, it just might be impossible.

The perfect girl and troubled boy are all wrong for each other, but as Liam helps Alexis cope with her grief, they realize nothing has ever felt more right.  

That is, until Alexis uncovers a secret about Liam that breaks her heart.

Liam knows he can’t allow the one good thing in his life to walk away without a fight, and he’s determined to convince Alexis they can find their way out of the darkness together.

Can he prove he’s worthy of her, or is some love too tainted to be saved?

He took a deep breath. “Our lives are completely different, Lex.” He raised his hand in a loose fist, running the backs of his fingers along my jaw. My breath caught in my chest as his thumb stroked over my skin in slow, gentle circles. “So different.” He stared into my eyes, and I leaned forward, mirroring his posture. I placed my hand on his jaw. His chin was rough with stubble and tight with worry.

“Help me understand.” My voice was needy, begging, but that’s only because I was desperate to figure him out, to unlock the secrets he kept close. I wanted to know how he could be the sweet, patient boy who taught me to drive and then beat the living hell out of his friend a few days later. It didn’t add up for me.

He reached up to grab my fingers that were still touching his cheek, and he adjusted them so that he was holding my hand. “I didn’t grow up the way you did. The only thing I could ever depend on were my fists. That’s how I protect myself and those I care about. Yeah, Adam’s my boy, but he crossed a line. Said something he shouldn’t. And in my world, when that happens, you teach a lesson. That lesson usually means blood.”

I cringed at his bluntness and then felt guilty about it. He’d said our lives were different, but that didn’t mean mine was better than his. I had no right to look down at him. Too many people already did that. In my world, there were lessons and punishments too. They were more calculated and less physical, but they were no less vicious. Like Melissa’s threat to get her father to have Liam fired from the country club. When I thought about it, I wasn’t sure which lesson was more cruel—fists or social war.

“What did Adam do to make you so mad? Was it because you wanted to hang out with me instead of going to the levees?” God, I hope not. That’d be the overreaction of the century.

Liam shook his head and traced patterns on my jaw with his thumb. “It’s not important, angel. Just know that when you’re with me, you’re safe. No one hurts you. No one touches you.” He leaned forward, letting his lips hover next to mine. “If anyone tries to hurt you, I’ll make them pay. I mean it.”

A chill skittered down my spine. The passion in his words was so strong that the air around us was charged with unspoken promises. Why would Liam feel such a fierce need to protect me? It frightened me that I enjoyed it so much. I swallowed. “Why did you call me angel?”

He tilted his chin up and pressed his lips to my forehead and then trailed kisses down my face, stopping to press his mouth to the corner of mine. He leaned back to let his eyes scan the length of me, head to toe, as he grinned. “It’s hard not to think of you as an angel when you’re dressed all in white and looking so goddamn perfect. You’re so… good.” He shook his head with a sad smile. “I have no right to want you as much as I do.”

His eyes darted to my lips, and then his mouth was on mine again, stealing the words I wanted to say—I’m not perfect… I’m not good… I want you too. He sucked on my lower lip, pulling it into his mouth with such gentleness I thought I might melt into a puddle on his floorboards. How could so much rage be wrapped up in this much tenderness?

My hands snaked around the back of Liam’s neck, and I moved to bring his mouth back to mine, grazing the tip of my tongue against his. I could faintly taste the smoke of his cigarette, but I could also taste the sugar of the funnel cake we’d shared. He was a heady mix of danger and sweetness that was so uniquely Liam it made me crave more. I slid my tongue against his again, and Liam’s groan was the only warning I got before his mouth was devouring mine, demanding kisses from me that I was only too happy to return.

“You even taste good,” Liam murmured against my lips before dropping his face to the curve of my neck where he nibbled along my skin, leaving goose bumps in his wake. “I want to taste every single inch of you. I think I’m addicted.”

His lips pressed against my pulse point, and I was sure he could feel the frantic beating of my heart. My entire body felt like it was vibrating for him. I couldn’t decide what I wanted more—for him to keep whispering his precious thoughts against my neck, or for him to go back to worshipping my lips.

As if he knew my inner turmoil, Liam trailed a slow pathway of kisses up my neck toward my greedy mouth.

“You look like an angel,” he said, whispering a kiss under my ear. His quiet words trickled down my neck in a delicious shiver. “You act like an angel, too good to be true.” He left a kiss on the side of my jaw before turning my face to his, his lips hovering over mine with so much heat I thought he might burn me when he finally kissed me. “You’re my angel, Lex. And I think you just might save me.”

Laura Ward lives in Maryland with her loud and very loving three children and husband. She married her college sweetheart and is endlessly grateful for the support he has given her through all their years together, and especially toward her goal of writing books. When not picking up toy trucks, driving to lacrosse practice, or checking spelling homework, Laura is writing or reading romance novels. Her debut novel, NOT YET, is a Top 100 Amazon Bestseller.

Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads

The first thing Christine does when she's getting ready to read a book is to crack the spine in at least five places. She wholeheartedly believes there is no place as comfy as the pages of a well-worn book. She's addicted to buying books, reading books, and writing books. Books, books, books. She also has a weakness for adventure, inappropriate humor, and coke (the caffeinated, bubbly kind). Christine is from Forest Hill, Maryland where she lives with her husband, three kids, and her library of ugly spine books. 

Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads

TAKE A RISK FOR LOVE

Hooked is a year old this month! Since Valentine's Day is right around the corner, I'm celebrating Hooked's birthday by hosting a contest that will run the entire month of February. Check out the rafflecopter below and enter to win a $50 Amazon gift card, signed paperback, and swag!

ONCE YOU'RE HOOKED, WHAT WOULDN'T YOU RISK FOR THE CHANCE AT MORE?
Hooked is all about taking the risk to fall in love. I'd love to hear your story about how you took a risk for love. Take the time to write your story below, and at the end of the month I'll pick one story to win a $10 Amazon gift card.

HOOKED IS ON SALE FOR A LIMITED TIME!
Hooked will be on sale on Amazon for $.99 from February, 8 - February 14, 2016. Get a copy for yourself or gift one to a friend. Click here to buy Hooked.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Visit me on Goodreads to see all of my reviews. 
Check out my website for information on my books, giveaways, and other fun stuff.