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Contemporary Romance Week - Unquiet by Melanie Hansen

7/21/2017

23 Comments

 
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Loren Smith has been in love with Eliot Devlin almost his entire life. During their turbulent childhood and teen years, Loren didn’t always understand Eliot, and sometimes he could be a challenge, but Eliot was the only one to ever truly ease Loren’s deep loneliness and accept him. When Eliot’s increasingly erratic and self-destructive behavior culminates in a suicide attempt at seventeen, Loren is devastated.

Upon meeting again by chance nine years later, Loren is enjoying a successful career as a police officer while Eliot’s life has been a constant struggle for stability. In and out of mental hospitals, with a rap sheet a mile long, he continues to be buffeted by the twin storms of mania and depression. Loren’s love and protectiveness for Eliot are deeply ingrained in him, however, and their feelings for each other are quickly rekindled.
​Loren has issues of his own he’s dealing with, and trying to understand and cope with Eliot’s bipolar disorder isn’t easy. They believe they’re meant to be, and Eliot brings a fulfillment to Loren’s life that no one else will ever match. But as they both come to realize, love by itself can’t cure all.

EXCERPT

​“God, you’re so beautiful,” Loren breathed, bringing one hand up to cup Eliot’s cheek. “The face that’s haunted my dreams.” He let his thumb stroke along Eliot’s cheekbone as he looked at him, cataloging the differences nine years had made.

There was surprisingly little, given the passage of time and the things Eliot had gone through: A few lines around his eyes, a small scar at the corner of his mouth. Loren couldn’t resist, leaning in to brush the scar with his lips once, again. Eliot turned his head and kissed him full on—though softly, chastely.

“Did you ever think of trying to find me, Loren?” Eliot asked when he pulled back, and Loren stroked his cheek again.

“I did for a while,” he admitted, “but after a few years, I felt like you were probably better off without me by that point. Like I said, I thought maybe I was the reason you’d tried to—well, when you got hurt, I...”

“You thought I tried to kill myself over you?” Eliot’s voice was soft. Not accusatory, just inquiring.

“Yes. I said some—I said some awful things to you, El. The last thing I said to you nine years ago still haunts me.”

Eliot scooted closer, and Loren wrapped his arm around his waist, settling Eliot against his side. It was Eliot’s turn to offer comfort. “I don’t remember it, Loren,” he said, his tone sincere. “And about all I remember of that night is how good it felt to make little cuts with the razor blade I stole from my dad’s bathroom.”

He held up his arm, and Loren saw for the first time some faint scars, thin, almost invisible, white lines surrounding the thick raised scar tissue of the cut that had almost ended his life.

“The little stinging pain, the blood, pleased me and fascinated me. I just—I just—went deeper,” Eliot said helplessly. “It was just me being crazy, Loren; it wasn’t your fault.”

Loren grasped Eliot’s arm, lifting it to press his open mouth to the scarred skin.

“If I’d known what you were going through all these years, I would have tried to find you, El. I swear I would have. I just...”

Eliot stopped Loren’s anguished words with his lips.
​
“Well, you’re here now.”
Purchase Unquiet Here

Prize One:

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Prize Two:

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To Enter:

Comment below on what you enjoyed about the excerpt for Unquiet. 
Have you read Melanie Hansen books?
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The next chance to win is at 5pm on July 21st! Click here to enter.
23 Comments
Melissa
7/21/2017 02:14:35 pm

I haven't read this author yet. The excerpt is fab though. Elliot and Loren sound like a hot couple.

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John M.
7/21/2017 02:39:27 pm

The blurb hit me hard and I enjoyed the excerpt. I haven't read this author before. Thanks!

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James Cox link
7/21/2017 02:59:49 pm

I haven't read many books about bipolar disorder. I think that would be an interesting read. Thank you for the prizes and hosting contemporary romance week!

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Lisa
7/21/2017 03:29:37 pm

So many emotions! I think this will make me cry for sure. I can't wait to read it. Oh I haven't read anything by this author. Tweeted. Thanks!

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susana
7/21/2017 03:44:46 pm


I loved the excerpt. I find it really intriguing... I want to know their story now....

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Anna
7/21/2017 07:29:36 pm

I love the excerpt! Can't wait to read it. Thank you!

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Paul
7/21/2017 08:29:32 pm

I have not read this author but the book sounds good. Excerpt pulled me in.

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SEAN
7/21/2017 10:22:00 pm

I think I've read one of her books before. I read alot. I haven't read this one though and the blurb with the excerpt made it sound real good.

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Cindra Clark
7/21/2017 11:45:02 pm

Melanie Hansen is a "new to me" author. Enjoyed the excerpt; somehow Eliot's vulnerability resonated with me, and I look forward to reading this book. Thanks for the chance to win.

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H.B.
7/22/2017 12:02:09 am

I own the book but haven't had the time to read it. I've read Melanie Hansen other stories before and have enjoyed it and am looking forward to giving her backlist a read when I can find the time.

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Sula
7/22/2017 08:23:34 am

I would love to read and find out how they work through and find eventual happiness together, hopefully <3

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Ami
7/22/2017 08:48:04 am

I have only read one book by Melanie Hansen "Love and Exorcism". Would like the chance to read more :)

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Nicola
7/22/2017 08:33:12 pm

I hadn't heard of that book before and it sounds fabulous. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

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Titania
7/23/2017 03:29:54 pm

I have never read this author. I liked the excerpt because the emotions felt real and believable.

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Lee Todd
7/24/2017 03:02:38 am

I haven't read this author
The excerpt sounds like it's part of an angsty book...yummmm

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Linda Moffitt
7/24/2017 01:49:30 pm

I Have never read Melanie
Sounds like a good book involving Mental Health Issues

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Linda Moffitt
7/24/2017 01:50:28 pm

I Tweeted Blog Post https://twitter.com/LindaMoffitt02/status/889542733362319360

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Misty Cecil
7/24/2017 07:23:15 pm

New author to me. Sounds like an intriguing book.

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waxapplelover
7/24/2017 10:08:45 pm

She is a new to me author, but second chance romances are always interesting to me. I like to see how the author can get the two MCs back together again despite what happened to split them in the first place. The excerpt gives me an idea of what happened, and it definitely sounds intriguing.

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Kim thorne
7/25/2017 01:53:06 pm

It sounds very interesting.

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Erryn Barratt
7/25/2017 10:46:43 pm

I have Everything Changes on audio and am going to listen to it soon.

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Belle9995
7/25/2017 11:55:02 pm

The way it draws you in...I want to comfort them:)

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ELF link
7/26/2017 03:02:03 am

I like that they are being vulnerable to each other. Thanks for sharing and for the giveaway.

Reply



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