Amanda Stone's Blog

I haven't posted an update in a while. I am currently still writing BREAK. The plan is to have it finished by the end of the month, and the hopefully I will be able to set a release date shortly after. I know it has taken me forever to get this book out, so I am so thankful for all of your patience as you wait for Ryker and Storm's story.

In the mean time, here is a short teaser. :)

My Facebook page has finally reached 5,000 likes!! Thank you all so much for liking and sharing! 

If you follow me on there then you know that I had promised to post the prologue to Break when I finally hit the mark. So as promised, here it is! 

*Unedited - Subject to change*

* Still no firm release date. I have had a lot of things going on in my personal life that has put me a little behind but I am still saying it will be out sometime this Spring. :) *

And just so you know… This is my Ryker and Storm. ;)

Prologue


Ryker

I sat at the bar, not really listening to the chatter going on around me, my eyes trained on the cute little waitress to my right. She was staring at her tray while a man sat at the table she was serving, shouting at her over a fucking beer. Who the hell did this guy think he was? If there was one thing I could never tolerate, it was a bully, and watching a man sit there and bully a female was more than I could take.

With every insult I heard from him, my blood began to boil more and more. And when I had finally reached my limit, I pushed off the bar to head over there. I was going to show him what a real man does when he sees a sorry excuse of a man speaking to a female that way, but I stopped when I felt a hand come down on my shoulder.

 “Ryke, come on now. Don’t start any shit tonight.” My friend John hissed into my ear. “Come back to the bar and finish your beer. You know the last time you got into a brawl Charlie said he would have to think about kicking you out for good.”

John wasn’t just my friend; he was also my boss. He owned the garage I currently worked at, and Charlie was the owner of the bar we liked to go to after work. Charlie was constantly throwing my ass out for fighting. I wasn’t entirely sure why he hadn’t banned me from ever coming back all together. I guess deep down he knew that all my fights weren’t just for the thrill of hurting someone. Most of the time, I was fighting to defend someone else. It was good people like Charlie and John, people willing to take a chance on a temperamental little shit like me that kept me from falling off the deep end.

“Come on. Don’t be getting mixed up in other peoples business,” John continued. “Lets just finish our beers and head home. We have to be in the garage early in the morning if you want to install that new cam in, Betty.”

Betty was my ’69 Mustang GT. She had been my grandpa’s and when he passed, he left it to me to inherit when I turned eighteen. She was beautiful, gunmetal gray with two black stripes running from bumper to bumper. She was in perfect condition when I got her, and would have stayed that way too, had it not been for that one time I pushed her a little too hard on a back street race all to win a bet.

I had been living out of Betty for a couple of weeks after my mom had moved away to a different state with her new boyfriend. I was hard up for some cash and I let some fool talk me into a race. It was easy money. I knew his supped up Toyota Celica didn’t stand a chance against my purebred American muscle.

I ended up winning, but I tore my car all to shit in the process by throwing a rod and cracking the engine block. That night the temperature dropped well below freezing, and I was trying to get the engine to turn over long enough to warm my chilled body when an old beat up pick-up truck pulled up beside me.

That was the same night John found me and helped me out. He took me in, helped me fix my car, and gave me a job. Since meeting him we have completely revamped Betty’s engine. Now she doesn’t just purr like a kitten, she roars like a lioness.  Not to mention, focusing so much attention on Betty keeps me out of trouble. You know what they say about idle hands being the devils play things? Well, my hands are his favorite playtime toys. My hands are capable of frightening things… bloody, horrible things. Things that I wish I had more control over, but I don’t. I used to… but not anymore.

“Alright,” I said to John as finished of my beer. “That’s none of my business, anyway,” I shrugged and ordered another round.

I really needed to learn to control my temper; I was always letting it control me, and if I couldn’t get a handle on it soon, I was afraid it would consume me. I was afraid it was going to get me into trouble that I might not be able to get myself out of.

An hour or so had passed, and the anger I had felt over the situation between the man and the waitress had slowly begun to fade. I was taking a drink of my beer, when I heard the same voice of the asshole from earlier resound throughout the bar. “Why you stupid little shit! Do you know how much this jacket cost me?! More than you could make in a year! Waitressing is not a hard job. You get the drinks, take them to the customers, and then sit them on the mother-fucking table. A moron could do it, but you can’t seem to manage the simplest task of not spilling shit.”

Before I knew it, I was stalking across the bar. I could hear John’s protests, but I was beyond being stopped. I had had enough of this tool. “Hey,” I slammed my bottle down on his table to get his attention.  “What’s your problem? She’s a female. Have some fucking respect,” I snarled.

The man stood from his chair and cracked his neck. “Why don’t you mind your business, pal.”

I smirked at his attempt to intimidate me. I had fought bigger guys than him before. If he thought I was scared—he thought wrong. I stepped close enough that our noses were nearly touching. “When you make an ass of yourself, screaming at the fairer sex in a room full of people, you make it my business,” I stepped back and placed my hands on my hips before I continued, “The way I see it is you have two options here. Leave now with what little dignity you have, or you can leave limping like a bitch after I am finished with you. The choice is yours.”

He stood glaring at me for a moment, but then he turned to leave. I watched him shove his way through the crowd that had gathered around us during our argument as he made his way to the exit. When I could no longer see him, I glanced over to where I had left John at the bar. He was shaking his head at me but at least there was a smile on his face. I shrugged and grabbed my beer that I had left on the table and started to head back to the bar when I heard a commotion behind me.

When I turned around I saw the same asshole storming back across the bar. He came charging at me attempting to tackle me to the ground. I easily sidestepped him causing him to go crashing into some nearby tables. The sound of wood and glass breaking filled the bar, and soon after the asshole picked himself up off the floor and tried charging me again. This time I was ready. As he approached me, I sent a jab straight to his nose and watched as his head flew back from the blow. He immediately shook it off and came at me again.

“You just don’t learn, do ya?” I taunted as I dodged a swing he threw at me, and he roared with anger as he attempted another missed hit.

When I finally saw an opening, I let him have it. I caught his eyebrow with my elbow, the skin splitting on contact, causing blood to trail down his face from his wound. He automatically bent over to cup his injury and when he did I sent an uppercut straight to his nose. His body fell to the floor in a heap right after.

I stood over him and watched as he groaned on the floor. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Charlie shaking his head and signaling with two fingers for his bouncers to head my way.  I knew exactly what was coming next.

One of the bouncers grabbed me by my bicep and began to steer me towards the exit. I didn’t put up a fight; they were just doing their job. As his boys ushered me out, I turned my head to nod an apology to Charlie. I could tell by the faint smile on his lips that he wasn’t mad about the trouble I had just caused… he was keeping face by kicking out the trouble that disturbed the tranquility of the other patrons shelling out the big bills for his liquor.

Once I was outside I headed toward my car. As I slid the key into the lock, I heard the faint sound of someone clapping their hands.

“That was quite a show you just put on there,” a stranger said as he approached me.

“Yeah, what’s it to you?” I nodded at him and automatically bawled my hands into fists ready for another fight.

He chuckled and crossed his arms over his chest. “Lets just say I see something in you that I can work with, and if you are into making tons of cash all you have to do is let me lead the way.”

I huffed. “Tons of cash, huh? And what exactly do I have to do to get this cash?” I questioned. “And I will warn you now, you pop off something about sucking dick or staring in your freaky basement movies, I will end you here and now for wasting my time.” I glared at him but he didn’t seem deterred in the slightest.

“Nothing like that, son. What I have in mind for you is something you already hold a skill for. Something you love doing, you just don’t know it yet.”

I raised and eyebrow and waited for him to continue.

“Fighting,” he said with a Cheshire cat smile. “Fighting.”

So, I am probably the worst blogger known to man. I am so scatter brained that I even at times forget I have a blog. O.o 

That being said, I decided to do away with my "blogger blog" and focus solely on my website by creating a blog tab. Maybe this way I will be able to actually use my blog for announcements and giveaways and things of that nature. *shifty eyes and fingers crossed*

Now lets talk about books. As some of you know I have currently put COME BACK TO ME (Jessi and Landon from BREATHE INTO ME story) on hold. Let me stress this to you, there WILL be a Come Back to Me. I promise .

I have about 1/4 of if finished already. The problem is, the story just sort of… stopped working for me. Every time I would open the doc I would literally cringe when I thought about trying to get inside those characters heads. I just wasn't feeling it.


When that happened, I decided to go ahead and start on a book idea that I'd had floating around inside my head for a while. BREAK's concept is actually, more or less, based on real life events. The story is very close to my heart, as I have taken aspects of certain family members and built characters from them. Ryker is not the run of the mill bad boy. Ryker is… broken. He is struggling to overcome some serious grief and it sends him on a path he never thought he would take. 

Honestly, I thought I would have BREAK finished before now. But I am not generally a fast writer. I have a husband, 2 kids, 2 dogs, a cat, and a house that can't seem to ever stay clean. I have a lot of distractions in my life.(Major, MAJOR, kudos to all the authors out that that can bust out new books one after the other. I salute you!) 

I enjoy writing. It is something I do because I find stories floating around inside my head daily. It is not something I do because I wanted to become "rich and famous". And that begin said, I am not one of those authors that can put a new book out every couple of months. Just. Can't. Happen. With. Me. I love that I have readers that are willing to be patient and wait for any new work that I may release. (Thank y'all SO MUCH for all the support you have shown me this past year.) In this coming year I know that I want to have BREAK and COME BACK TO ME released, and if all goes well with those two books, hopefully NEVER LET ME GO (Lucas from BREATHE INTO ME's story) But like I said, I am not really a fast writer. I over think things too much, and I have serious self doubt when I read my work back to myself causing me to trash things… a lot. 


But just stay with me. I will be doing everything in my power to keep supplying you with escapes from your everyday lives by losing yourself in a fictional world, surrounded by fiction people, people that you may find yourself at times wishing were real... if I have done my job right. ;)


Again, thank y'all so much for all your support! I


Until next time…


HAPPY READING!

BREAK cover reveal!!


It's finally here! The cover for the new book I have been working on. This book is Ryker and Storm's story and it is called BREAK. 

I cannot wait to get it finished and share it with y'all. The story is loosely based on real life experiences, and has been very personal for me to write. So to say this one is my baby would be an understatement. ;) 

But here is the cover! Be sure to scroll on down to the bottom for a teaser of Ryker and Storm. (The youtube link that follows is the song that I listened to on repeat while writing that particular scene. Just a little extra for y'all ;) )

Title: BREAKAuthor: Amanda StoneRelease: Spring 2014
Genre: New AdultGenre: New Adult

Cover by Sarah Hansen - Okay Creationshttp://www.okaycreations.com



There are paths we take in life that lead us to where we are supposed to be—where we are meant to be all along. I didn’t know that my journey, which had been filled with so much pain and so much all-consuming rage, would lead me to her.
She is my salvation. My undoing. My reason for breaking…


Storm Messer has just graduated college. But instead of spending the summer traveling, like she had intended, she finds herself dumped by her boyfriend and working for her parents at their family’s prestigious restaurant.
Ryker Noakes had every intention of going away to college until he lost the one person who kept him grounded. Now five years later he finds himself spending his days working as a mechanic, and his nights working off his aggression over things he cannot change as an underground MMA fighter.
Neither could have known that a chance meeting would spark up a friendship that would lead to an undeniable romance. But when they find out their pasts collide, it threatens to destroy any future they may have together.


Breaking isn’t always a bad thing. — As long as you have the right personto put you back together.



LINKS: 
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My Official Website!
 



Ryker guided me backward, pushing me until my back was flush against the cool wood siding of the house. He leaned in closer, his scent engulfing me—consuming me. “Storm,” he huskily whispered. “Close your eyes.” As if I had no control over myself, my body did as he commanded and my eyes drifted shut. I heard the creak of wood giving as he placed each of his hands on either side of my head. Even with my eyes closed I knew how close he was to me. His breaths were softly blowing against my lips. Out of habit, my tongue slipped from between my lips, moistening them in anticipation. I heard a low growl rumble up from Ryker’s chest and he placed forehead against mine.“Ryke…” I began, but he silenced me by gently placing his finger against my lips.“I don’t know why you fight this, Storm.” He huffed and pulled his face away from mine. “I know you feel it. You feel how right this is.” He tenderly grasped my chin in his hand, turning my head to the side, giving him better access to my neck. He ran his lips over my burning skin before placing a soft kiss where my shoulder and neck meet. My body shivered at his touch and he pulled away again. “You see, your body knows what it wants. Damn, Storm, even your heart knows what it wants. But you let your head get in the way of all that. You let your head lead you, and, baby, its leading you the wrong way.” He leaned closer to my ear. “Just stop thinking. Stop thinking and feel. Feel how your breathing becomes erratic when I do this.” He ran his tongue along my earlobe. “Feel how your heart speeds up when I tell you how unbelievably sexy you are, and how you have me in pain just thinking about being inside you again.” He paused, and I stayed quiet, listening to his uneven breaths. “Feel how your skin tingles when I touch you.” He ran his hand down my side, his fingers leaving a trail of fire in their wake. “I do that to you. Me. Why fight this? Why fight something that feels so undeniably right? You know you want me,” he growled against my lips. “And deep down, you know you’re already mine.”


*song for the scene*

Breathe Into Me was released earlier then the planned May 2nd release date! Pick up your copy now on amazon and Barnes and Noble! :)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C...

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/breat...

dont forget to rate and review and feel free to message me any questions or comments you may have!

Happy Reading!! <3

Here is the link where you can read the first full chapter of Breathe Into Me! Enjoy!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1g...

Hey y'all! I don't know how many of you have facebook BUT if you do and you have not heard yet, I will release the first chapter of Breathe Into Me when my author page recieves 1500 likes. Now remember this is the LIKE page. Not the friend requst page. ;)


http://www.facebook.com/#!/amandaston...

His smiled beamed so bright after I whispered those words and he crushed his mouth to mine, kissing me deeply as if his life depended on this one kiss. He wasted no time ridding me of my tank and pajama bottoms and began exploring my body first with his hands, and then with his mouth. Placing feather light kisses on my most sensitive areas.
I could feel his lip ring with every kiss that he placed. The cold metal against my heated skin was almost enough to send me over the edge. He kissed across my collar bone, then slowly down to the mounds of my breasts. I couldn’t stop the quiver that ran through my body as his tongue ran across one mound and dipped down between the two. He must have felt my shudder because he let out a throaty laugh and gently cupped my other breast in his hand ever so lightly massaging it with his palm and fingers. This man had magic hands, let me tell you.
I arched my back, pushing my chest deeper into his touch. He responded by settling his body between my thighs, pressing himself against me, just the pressure of having his hardness against me had me gripping and clawing at his back.
“Take off your underwear.” I said, and was shocked by the words that had just tumbled out of my mouth. I was usually not this outspoken, but when it came to Kane all bets were off, he made me feel brave and alive. He was slowly bringing out a side of me I didn’t know even existed.
He chuckled at my demand. “I will, just wait. There is time for that later. Right now there are a few parts of your body I have been dying to get my mouth on.” He looked up at me, his grey eyes full of lust and wanting.
I kept my eyes glued to his as he slowly rained kisses down between my breasts, then to my stomach where he used his tongue to draw a lazy heart around my belly button then lightly blew air across it.
My hips thrust up of their own accord and Kane hooked his finger around the string of my pink panties before leisurely pulling them down my legs. Once he had rid them from my ankles he raked his eyes up my body. Starting at my toes then slowly going up my legs, pausing a bit longer on my more intimate areas, before resting back on my eyes. I should feel a bit insecure being all exposed to him like this but I didn’t feel that at all. Seeing his desire for me actually made me feel empowered. Just knowing that I could make his breathing shaky and eyes gloss over the way they were, had my body humming all over.
“Every inch of you is perfect Kelsey.” He shook his head slightly as if trying to bring himself out of a daze. Lightly grasping my ankle in his big strong hand, he brought it to his mouth and placed soft kisses there and then up calf, murmuring sweet little words in between each kiss. When he finally made it to my thigh I felt him sink down onto the bed, lying flat on his stomach. Oh Lord. I didn’t know a lot about sex but I knew what this meant and my body automatically went ridged.
“Um Kane… I don’t know if you should….” I broke off, not knowing if I could actually come out and say the exact words.
“Kelsey…. just shut up.” He smiled up at me, before placing a feather light kiss high on my inner thigh, almost but not quite close enough to where I was throbbing

Want to know where and when the COVER REVEAL for Breathe Into Me will take place?? Watch this video to find out! ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b240t-...

In case you missed it I have finally set a release date for Breathe Into Me. It will finally be available June 11, 2013 :)