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Saturday, October 19, 2013

Spotlight: Can't Go Home by Angelisa Stone


                            Can't Go Home



Everyone has secrets; secrets meant to be kept—hidden away where nobody can discover the truth. Adrian O’Donnell (aka: Dre Donley) is no exception. Dre spins tales and half-truths like it’s his job, keeping the reality of his past buried deep within each lie he fabricates. On the other hand, Kathryn Howell is the exception to the rule. She’s a straight-shooter, a tell-it-like-it-is, no filter kind of girl. 

Kathryn’s honesty and straightforwardness is the ultimate turn on for a guy like Dre. He’s never met someone so sincere, so full of truth and innocence. Their chemistry is unavoidable, their connection, magnetic. When Dre sets out to make Kathryn fall for him, he doesn’t realize the grave mistake he’s making. Kathryn’s strength and convictions do not falter, even for an irresistible man like Dre. When his past resurfaces, and the lies come tumbling forth, Kathryn must decide if his deceit and betrayal can be forgiven or if the damage is irreparable. Will the truth ultimately destroy the relationship that neither one of them could deny or even attempt to resist? 

This novel is for mature readers only, due to language and sexual content.





“How many women have just full out fallen for this whole mysterious, sexy stranger thing?” she asks again.

“You think I’m sexy?” I inquire, raising my brows. 

Kathryn leans over, grabs her purse, and takes out a small mirror.  Opening the case, she holds it in front of me, and says, “I had no idea you didn’t own one of these.  This is a mirror.  Mirror. Take a look.”  She shakes the mirror in front of me. “People pay big bucks to look like you, Casanova.” 

Kathryn retracts the mirror, closes the case, and stirs more sweetener into her unsweetened tea. The whole time, I am staring dumbfounded at her. This is not the type of girl I’m used to.  Kathryn is straightforward, honest, and as intriguing as Hell.

Before I can answer, she says, “So, why’re you pulling out the big guns on me?”  She takes a sip of her tea, frowns, and adds in straight sugar this time.  After tasting it again and grimacing, she calls the server over and orders a large sweet tea. Now that’s some funny shit.  There are no false pretenses with this woman.

The server glances at her briefly, looks at me, and says, “We have the sweetest tea here; it just melts on your tongue. It really whets your appetite.”  Then she licks her lips and leans over, smiling at me, giving my line of vision a direct assault on her cleavage.

Kathryn begins laughing, loudly with a snort, and says, “Sweetie, it’s liquid.  It doesn’t have to melt.  And it’s wet, so it’s going to wet anything it touches.” 

Kathryn shakes her head, takes a deep breath, exhales, and says, “Write your number on the check when we leave, and make sure to put a big heart over whatever “i” is in your name, but for the love of God, please keep your panties on until I leave.”   

The waitress leaves quickly and a few moments later a different server returns, dropping off her sweet tea quickly and quietly.  I’m not sure what is happening, but I can feel myself being captivated by this woman.  I’m tempted to ask her if she even knows the definitions of demure, dainty, or coy, because she is none of those things.  But yet, she is the most “womanly” woman I’ve ever encountered. 



20 Fun Facts

ABOUT

Angelisa Denise Stone


1.      The first time I kissed a boy with tongue in fifth grade, I bit his lip and drew blood.  No boys would kiss me for two more years after that elementary school debacle.

2.      I auditioned and got a part in a drinking and driving documentary when I was in high school.  I was 14 at the time.  During the filming, the movie production people allowed all the kids to drink to make it “seem real.”  I freaked out, cried, and called my mom to come get me.  She went off “Old School Italian” style on those people.


3.      My friend invited me to a DEF LEPPARD concert when I was in 9th grade; her parents had a suite.  I didn’t know who Def Leppard was, but I was certain my outfit was perfect for a concert:  white ruffle skirt, white turtleneck, red cardigan, white bobby socks, and boat shoes.  Needless to say, I did not fit in AT ALL. 

4.      In 10th grade, a boy I worked with showed up at work and told me that he bought me two tickets to see New Kids on the Block.  I was ecstatic, jumped up and down, freaking out.  I took the tickets and called my best friend to tell her all about how we were going to the concert.  It was months later when another co-worker told me that the guy intended to take me AS A DATE. I had no idea. Instead, I took the tickets and took my friend to the concert.

5.      In fifth grade, I almost got suspended for biting a boy’s butt.  In my defense, he pushed me down in the snow and sat on my head.   {Ps.  I have a problem with biting things.}

6.      When I was in college, my suitemates and I decided that we were going to “make our mark” on our campus.  They were putting in new concrete outside of one of the buildings.  We dressed all in black and went out in the middle of the night to “stamp” our footprints and initials in the pavement.  We were so excited, counted to three to all do it together, only to discover that it was already dry.  Who the hell knew concrete dried that quickly?

7.      When I was in seventh grade, I spent the night at my best friend’s house.  In the middle of the night, I went to the bathroom and realized that I started my period for the very first time.  Since everyone was asleep, I sat there crying, not having any idea what to do, staring at my ruined underwear.  Suddenly, her dad walked in completely NAKED!!!  Mortifying.  I couldn’t go back to her house for at least another year.

8.      I was on a skyline that travels the length of an amusement park and one of the cars fell to the ground.  (Not the one I was on.)  We had to jump off to the ground at the lowest point. 

9.      I love to go water-skiing.  However, I’ve never actually gotten up on skis.  I just love trying.  I can’t keep my legs together.  (“That’s what she said.”)

10.  I went snow skiing once and got a concussion and never went again.  My friends convinced me that I didn’t need those silly lessons, so I skipped them.  The first time down the hill, I was heading straight for the ski-lift pole.  I didn’t know how to turn.  I figured it must be like roller-skating and to turn when roller-skating you just cross one leg over the other.  It is NOT like roller-skating and crossing your legs/skis is not a good idea…said the paramedic in the ambulance. 

11.  I don’t like zoos.  I don’t want to look at anything. They’re so boring.  I want to ride the animals.  Whenever a zoo opens up that lets me ride around in the pouch of a kangaroo or slide down a giraffe’s neck, I am there!

12.  I do not understand the hype of the following things:  French fries, pizza, and coffee.  I could live 1000 years without any of them.

13.  I don’t understand when to punt and when not to punt in football. 

14.  I was student council president in high school and won unanimously.  Actually, everyone forgot there was a meeting that day, and only five of my friends and I showed up to the meeting, so I won.   

15.  The second I step foot in a hospital I find a box of latex gloves and wear a pair the whole time I’m there.  Germs are disgusting.

16.  I’m a terrible driver.  I’ve wrecked every side of my car—always my fault—usually hitting a stationery object.

17.  I have three tattoos.

18.  I’ve had NINE surgeries.

19.  I’ve been in TEN weddings—counting my own.   It really doesn’t pay to be everyone’s “best friend.”  Actually, you’re the one who ends up paying—for a lot of damn hideous-looking dresses. 


20.   I won a creative writing contest in 1987.  I didn’t pick up writing again until a few years ago.   


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Who is Angelisa Stone?


Angelisa Stone is a typical Midwestern wife and mom, frazzled by parenting and housework, and overwhelmed with sports schedules, doctor appointments, and three-dimensional creative projects due “tomorrow morning.”  Angelisa dreams of white sandy beaches, clear-blue waters, and Midori coladas in hand, but realizes that her loving husband and four not-so-perfect children are her real dreams-come-true.  Writing and reading are her passions, and she hopes (and prays with her fingers tightly crossed) that readers will find enjoyment and escape through her words and characters. 

Email Angelisa for fun chatter and banter, giggles and chuckles:  angelisaauthor@gmail.com

Follow Angelisa on Twitter:  @Angelisaauthor  https://twitter.com/Angelisaauthor

Find Angelisa on Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/angelisa.stone


Check out Angelisa’s profile on Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18176355-can-t-go-home

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