Author: Theresa Troutman
Cover Design: James GoOnWrite.com
Publication: June 9, 2014
Genre: New Adult Romance 18+
“All I want is you.”
Excerpt # 1
Tess walked into her first class, which was Government. She took a seat in the front row, eager to hear her professor's lecture. Everyone else who entered the room headed for the back of the lecture hall, leaving Tess all alone. She tapped her pen on the desk with nervous energy.
The professor entered the room. He looked ancient with his short, white hair and slightly bent posture. He wore a tweed jacket and eyeglasses with think black frames that slid down his nose. He reminded Tess of Doctor Magnus Pike from the Thomas Dolby video for She Blinded Me With Science. The professor cleared his throat to get the students’ attention.
Just then, a late arrival burst through the door. “So nice of you to join us Mr.…?”
“Miller,” the young man replied.
“Do have a seat Mr. Miller, quickly. And see that you aren’t late for my class again.”
The young man quickly scanned the room with a grimace, not happy to sit in the front row. He walked over to Tess and sat next to her. The professor began to scribble on the blackboard while Tess turned to observe Mr. Miller.
The first thing Tess noticed was how good-looking he was: strong features, a dimpled chin, brown eyes, and light brown hair. He was wearing khakis and a pale blue polo shirt.
“Man, my brother was right when he warned me about that old coot,” he whispered to Tess.
“You were late for class,” she reminded him.
“No, I was exactly on time,” he countered.
Tess grinned as she shook her head, amused at this guy’s carefree attitude. He reminded her of Sebastian, only with an American accent and a smaller budget for his wardrobe.
“I’m Dan, by the way,” he introduced, reaching out his hand to shake hers.
“Tess Hamilton,” she whispered, hoping the professor wouldn’t scold her too.
The professor turned around to lecture the class. Tess dutifully took out her tablet and began to take notes.
Ninety minutes later, Tess packed up her books to go to her next class. “So where are you off to next?” Dan asked, standing from his seat.
“English with Professor Sutton.”
“Me, too. We have a half an hour. Want to get some coffee?”
“I don’t drink coffee,” she said as they walked out of the lecture hall.
“Tea, soda, milk?” he pressed.
“You don’t give up, do you?” Tess marveled.
“Nope. Come on, what’s the harm?”
“Okay. I could go for a Diet Coke.”
“Thank God,” Dan sighed with relief. “I need to surround myself with as many smart people as possible.”
“What makes you think I’m smart?”
“The smart ones always sit in front, eager to observe and learn,” Dan explained.
“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
“Oh, not at all. It was a compliment, not an insult.”
“Why do you need me? You did get into NYU, after all. They’re very selective of who they pick.”
Dan laughed. He had the most wonderful laugh. His eyes seemed to twinkle, and laugh lines appeared in the corner of his eyes.
“Please let me in on the joke.”
“They’re not picky when your mother is one of the esteemed professors and your brother is getting a Master’s.”
“Wow.”
“Yeah, and that leaves me. ‘Not the sharpest tool in the shed,’ my father would say.” Dan held open the door to the cafeteria so Tess could enter first. He poured himself a cup of coffee while Tess grabbed a can of Diet Coke from the cooler. They walked to the cashier and Dan paid for them both before Tess could reach for her wallet.
Excerpt # 2
Sebastian walked into the condo to find Tess dressed and ready to go. She was standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Manhattan, the lights of the city twinkling and bright. He walked up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. “Happy birthday, Tess.”
Tess turned around to face him. “I like the new suit. You look very dapper.”
“You take my breath away,” he whispered, leaning in to kiss her. The kiss was quick and sweet. Sebastian took her hand, saying, “Follow me.”
He guided Tess to the guest bedroom and opened the door. Inside, the bistro table was dressed with their finest linens, china, silver, and crystal.
“It’s just like the efficiency,” Tess said, looking over at Sebastian.
“I wanted to re-create the first time I cooked you dinner. I hope you don’t mind we’re not going out tonight.”
Tess threw her arms around his neck. “I love it!”
Sebastian escorted her to the table and pulled out the chair. Tess sat down and quickly unlaced the straps of her shoes, kicking them off under the table. She admired the centerpiece of roses and inhaled the fragrant scent of the blossoms.
He left the room momentarily, and then returned with Alice in tow. She placed salad plates on table. “Sebastian cooked dinner, I’m just helping out for tonight. I hope you enjoy it,”she said to Tess.
Tess didn’t touch her salad; she simply stared at Sebastian, a single tear of joy escaping her eye. “Thank you so much. This is perfect. You remembered every detail.”
Sebastian reached over and took her hand. “You’re welcome, darling.”
Alice continued to bring course after course to the couple as they enjoyed their dinner. They talked with ease. Sebastian couldn’t help but wonder if things were finally getting back to normal.
At the end of the meal, Alice bought a birthday cake to the table. It was six-inch round chocolate cake with buttercream icing. There was one candle on top of the cake, glowing like a beacon.
“If that’s all, I think I’ll leave you for the evening,” Alice said, handing the knife to Tess.
“Thank you, Alice.”
Alice winked at them and closed the door as she left the room.
“Make a wish.”
Tess closed her eyes, waited a moment, and then blew out the candle. “It’s too pretty to eat,” she lamented.
“We don’t have to eat it right now,” Sebastian said, standing up from the table. He offered his hand to Tess, who willingly took it.
Sebastian escorted her into the living room. He walked over to the CD player and hit the play button. Roxy Music’s Avalon started playing. “Dance with me.” He swept Tess up in his arms and moved to the music, swaying to the slow, melodic song. Tess pressed into him, leaning her head on his shoulder.
When the song was over, Sebastian looked at Tess and saw the happiness in her eyes. He felt as if he had recaptured a magic time they had shared long ago. Sebastian raised her hand to his cheek and tenderly kissed her palm. “I love you, Tess.”
He felt the time was right, so he got down on one knee, reached into his jacket pocket, and pulled out a red Cartier box. “You’re my world. Marry me and I promise I will spend every day for the rest of my life making you happy,” Sebastian said, opening the box to reveal a stunning 1/2-carat Asscher cut diamond set in 18-karat gold.
* * *
Tess looked down at Sebastian: his eyes were full of love, his expression full of hope. She honestly hadn’t been expecting a proposal, especially in light of their current situation. Tess had gotten her wish. All she wanted was to move forward with Sebastian, and here he was presenting her with the opportunity. She certainly wasn’t about to let it slip away. “Yes. All I want is you.”
Sebastian stood up and removed the ring from the red box. Tess held out her trembling left hand, and Sebastian slipped the ring on her finger. It fit perfectly; that didn’t surprise Tess at all.
A tear escaped the corner of Sebastian’s eye and Tess brushed it away with her thumb.“Don’t cry,” she begged.
“I’m so happy you said yes,” he admitted, feeling simultaneously relieved and elated.
Tess stood on her tiptoes and crushed her lips against his. Sebastian didn’t hold back this time; he put all his pent-up emotions into the kiss. It was tender at first, and then it spread like wildfire, hot and eager, setting his heart racing.
Tess pulled away, gasping for air. “Make love to me, Sebastian.”
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I received this arc in exchange for an honest review.
A truly romantic read.
We have some comedy moments in this book, the storyline is easy to follow and the book is well written.
If you want a read that is truly romance then this is the book for you
View all my reviews
Blog Guest Spot Post
10 Things You Didn’t Know About Theresa Troutman and The Love’s Great Adventure Series.
To celebrate the release of book two - Love This Life, I wanted to share some little know insider info with you and your readers.
1. The playlist consists of songs from the 1980s, the period that the story takes place. The playlist is an alternative way to telling the story and the lyrics parallel what is happening is Sebastian’s life. Older readers will recognize these songs, but I hope to introduce younger readers to music of that decade.
2. Life’s What You Make It was originally called: Nanny, Charles and Me. It was told from Tess Hamilton’s point of view. I switched to Sebastian Iron’s point of view because he is such a flawed character and I wanted to take the reader of his journey to redemption.
3. The book Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh inspired me to start writing this book back in 1984. As the years progressed, Downton Abbey and Gossip Girl are other shows that are similar in genre. If you’re a fan of these shows, I think you’ll enjoy Life’s What You Make It.
4. I kept the time period for Life’s What You Make It in the 1980s. Why? Life was so much simpler—no internet or cell phones. It was easier to go undetected back then. Now everybody know what you’re doing thanks to social media. Also, it wasn’t uncommon for high school sweethearts to get married.
5. Sebastian Irons died in the first draft of the book.
6. When beta readers finished the first book, many of they said, “Do they get married?” This inspired me to write Love This Life. I fell in love with Sebastian and Tess and had so much fun writing them, I didn’t want to let them go. The final book in the series is called London Loves and will take place five years after Love This Life. I’m currently writing it and looking to release in September 2014.
7. I’m an avid traveler and have traveled to Australia seven times in the past twenty-five years. That’s the equivalent of being on an airplane for two weeks straight!
8. I was married when I was nineteen years old and I’m still with the same guy! We don’t have any children. (Does a crazy dog count?)
9. When I was young, I wanted to be a film director. Guess I like telling people what to do, so being a writer suits me perfectly.
10. I owned my own cafe and photo gallery in the 1990s in a town called Intercourse, PA. (It is a real town in Amish country right between Bird and Hand and Blue Ball - really don’t know what inspired the Amish to name their towns!)
Grand prize - signed paperback of Love This Life and a swag pack! (US only)
EBook copy of Love This Life (international)
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