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Contemporary Romance Week: Tail Lights and Teardrops by Connie Smith

6/3/2021

18 Comments

 
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​Bruised and battered hearts can keep beating. But can they heal?

Preston and Nick endured the breakup of all breakups when Nick accused her of cheating on him. He insisted, and she denied while the rain pounded against her driveway and thunder roared in the distance. Then they both ran—Preston to a life of Rock & Roll, and Nick to a career in the Army.

Four years later, they’re damaged and broken almost beyond repair. He’s carrying baggage from his military days, and she bears the scars of living a lifestyle she’s grown to hate.
​When Preston’s label forces her to take time away from music, their paths cross in a parking lot not twenty-four hours after her hometown return, anger and sparks flying in a confusing blend. But regardless of the feelings neither has been able to shake, too many lies and secrets stand in the way of the one thing they need in order to recover.

Each other.

- SNEAK PEEK -

​He was leaving his apartment when I got to his floor, and he smiled at me as if there was no animosity between us. “Hey, Preston.”

“Hey, Preston,” I mocked, then held up the figurine. “Take it back.”

He had the nerve to smirk. “How do you know I gave that to you?”

“Who else would leave a dolphin on my doorstep besides the guy who knows I love dolphins and wants to suddenly fix four years of betrayal?” His smirk disappeared, and I shoved the figure closer to him, glaring. “Take it back.”

“I don’t want it back.”

“Well, I don’t want it either.” He arched a brow, and I rolled my eyes. “Okay, it’s cute. It’s absolutely adorable, and it would look fantastic on my end table, but I can’t take this.”

“Why not?”

“Because I know what it means! You made a mistake, and you’re trying to make up for it. But it’s too late, Nick. If I take this, it’s like saying you have a chance to make things right, and you don’t.”

“You sure about that?”

I frowned. “Which part?”

With a grin, he shrugged almost casually, far too comfortable in a conversation that made me uneasy. “You’re spot-on about what the dolphin means, but are you sure I can’t make things right?”

“I’m so far beyond sure that sure isn’t even in my line of sight anymore.” I held the dolphin farther out, hoping he’d take it. “I can’t keep clinging to things that weren’t good for me in the first place if I want my next four years to be any better than the last four.”

Then he scowled. “You think I wasn’t good for you in the first place?”

“I know you weren’t. If you were, you wouldn’t have believed Dad and dumped me, and…” I waved the figurine in his direction. “Just take it.”

“Your sentence trailed off,” he mumbled as a smile reformed on his lips. “That’s a good sign for me.” He stepped closer until he invaded my personal space and forced the hand holding the dolphin to fall back against my stomach. After a moment of simply looking at me, so intense and needing, he pointed a finger at my face.

“That’s why I can’t take it back,” he gently insisted. His finger moved to brush my hair behind my ear, trailing along my jaw before tracing my lips. I knew I should move, slap his hand away, something. But I couldn’t. I just stared, my mouth gaping in shock, my mind consumed with Nick and his caresses. “Doubting you was the biggest mistake of my life. And you are my life.”

His index finger replaced his thumb to outline my bottom lip over and over. “I should’ve fought for this, and I’m not making the same mistake twice. I’m getting my life back.” He slowly stepped away and gestured at the dolphin. “That’s only the first step.” Turning, he walked to the stairwell at the other end of the hall and left me standing, gawking where he’d been and holding the dolphin figure much tighter.

- Prize One -

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- Prize Two -

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- Prize Three -

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To ENTER you must comment below:


1. What did you like most about the sneak peek of Tail Lights and Teardrops?
​

2. Have you read Connie Smith before?

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18 Comments
Abby loves to read
6/3/2021 01:56:28 pm

I love romance army stories. I get all teary with movies like that and the videos of soldiers returning so this is definitely something I'd like to read! I have not heard of her before.

Reply
Tammy Ambrose
6/3/2021 05:26:44 pm

I love dolphins and I love that the character used a dolphin to show how sorry he is and that he wants back into Preston's life and the dolphin is only the beginning of the thrills she has to come.

Reply
Tammy
6/5/2021 02:37:32 pm

I have not read this author before.

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Colleen
6/3/2021 09:17:02 pm

I like the first person POV and how the protagonist Preston builds a wall, afraid of Nick’s rejection. So much conflict in this little sampler!

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Colleen
6/3/2021 09:22:13 pm

I forgot in my last message, I have never read books by Connie Smith before.

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Lisa
6/3/2021 10:53:46 pm

“I should’ve fought for this, and I’m not making the same mistake twice." I loveeeee that line! Its so sweet. I haven't read her yet.

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Melissa W.
6/3/2021 10:56:35 pm

Aww, I love the dolphin. That such a cute idea and sweet. I want to read more about Preston! This is a new writer to me. Thank you!

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Cherie J.
6/3/2021 11:01:38 pm

I loved the fact that he gave her the dolphin figure knowing it means something to her and it is also a reflection of their history together. No, I have not read anything by Connie Smith before.

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Sherry R
6/4/2021 09:53:19 am

I liked that he gave her the dolphin figure. It showed thought and that he really cared. No, I have never read Connie Smith before.

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Amanda M
6/4/2021 08:50:54 pm

Cheating is such a hard read for me unless it's a miscommunication sort of thing. I liked the sneak peek. Predton sounds wonderful!

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Cathy m
6/4/2021 08:54:03 pm

Oh, that sneak peek was so romantic. I like how persistent Preston sounds! This is not a new author to me. I have read Jivin Tango and really enjoyed it.

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ELF
6/4/2021 08:55:23 pm

Gotta love someone who owns up to his (or her) mistakes and tries to make amends. I don't believe I have read anything by this author before.

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Tessa
6/4/2021 11:45:36 pm

I like the dolphin figurine. I dont usually read books with cheating but this sounds interesting. I have never read this author.

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Jane D.
6/5/2021 09:44:33 am

I like how comfortable he is and how uneasy she is. That makes for great tension. I have not read this yet.

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Elizabeth Griffin
6/5/2021 10:11:07 am

I have to agree, the dolphin gift sounds so sweet. This romance sounds heavy and something I should be reading! New author to me!

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Caroline I
6/5/2021 12:07:56 pm

Preston sounds romantic and like he refuses to dwell on his past mistakes. I think they have a real future and I'd love to read this to find out.

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Fiona McGier link
6/5/2021 01:19:13 pm

I'm intrigued as to WHY her father would want to split them up--especially with such a mean rumor. I haven't read this author before.

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THE TBR PILE link
6/6/2021 03:12:11 pm

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. GOOD LUCK!

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