Jen Frederick's Blog

Heart and Seoul is set to finally release on May 25! Publishers Weekly read the books and gave it an incredible review.

 

“Frederick draws on her own experiences as a Korean American adoptee to lend authenticity and weight to the emotional narrative. Fans and new readers alike will be hooked on this page-turning tale.”

 

Pre-Order your copy of Heart and Seoul today!

Indie Bound | B&N | Amazon | Kobo | Apple | Target | Google

The post Pre-order Heart and Seoul appeared first on Author Jen Frederick.

I’m so excited for everyone to read Played, the next book in the Gridiron series!

She’s been playing it close…

Ara Martin and college football star Ty Masters have been best friends since the first day of school when Ty literally ran her over. She fell for him immediately, but having lived under the shadow of her famous father, she knows a relationship with irresistible Ty would only end in heartbreak. For four years, she’s kept her feelings hidden. But one drunken encounter weeks before graduation is about to expose Ara’s biggest secret and destroy her most treasured relationship.

He’s been playing for keeps…

Ty is about to be drafted into the NFL, but his personal life is a mess. He’s got an agent he doesn’t like, a brother who can’t stop offering his opinion, and a beautiful woman he craves but can’t have. He can fire his agent and ignore his brother, but he’s not sure what to do about Ara. Ty’s been able to run down every quarterback he’s faced, but his sexy, stubborn best friend keeps slipping through his fingers.

Luckily, he’s not one for giving up, and once he gets his hands on her, he’s never letting go.

Get Played for only $0.99 on Amazon, or download for FREE with your Kindle Unlimited Subscription!

SURPRISE!! For the release week of Played, you can also get the entire Gridiron series on sale for $0.99 each! That’s 4 books for under $4! Pick up the series here!

The post Played is Live! appeared first on Author Jen Frederick.

The cover and blurb for PLAYED were revealed today! I can’t wait for you all to read Ty.

 

She’s been playing it close…

Ara Martin and college football star Ty Masters have been best friends since the first day of school when Ty literally ran her over. She fell for him immediately, but having lived under the shadow of her famous father, she knows a relationship with irresistible Ty would only end in heartbreak. For four years, she’s kept her feelings hidden. But one drunken encouter weeks before graduation is about to expose Ara’s biggest secret and destroy her most treasured relationship.

He’s been playing for keeps…

Ty is about to be drafted into the NFL, but his personal life is a mess. He’s got an agent he doesn’t like, a brother who can’t stop offering his opinion, and a beautiful woman he craves but can’t have. He can fire his agent and ignore his brother, but he’s not sure what to do about Ara. Ty’s been able to run down every quarterback he’s faced, but his sexy, stubborn best friend keeps slipping through his fingers.

Luckily, he’s not one for giving up, and once he gets his hands on her, he’s never letting go.

 

The post Cover Reveal: Played appeared first on Author Jen Frederick.

Elle Kennedy and I have a new release today, Fallen Heir from Erin Watt.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks

These Royals will ruin you.

Easton Royal has it all: looks, money, intelligence. His goal in life is to have as much fun as possible. He never thinks about the consequences because he doesn’t have to.

Until Hartley Wright appears, shaking up his easy life. She’s the one girl who’s said no, despite being attracted to him. Easton can’t figure her out and that makes her all the more irresistible.

Hartley doesn’t want him. She says he needs to grow up.

She might be right.

Rivals. Rules. Regrets. For the first time in Easton’s life, wearing a Royal crown isn’t enough. He’s about to learn that the higher you start, the harder you fall.

Warning: This book has a cliffhanger. The story will be resolved in Cracked Kingdom, due out January 2018.

 

The post New Release: Fallen Heir by Erin Watt appeared first on Author Jen Frederick.

 

 

 

Flowers are fun, but diamonds and forever win our hearts. 22 authors have come together to bring you everything you want in an anthology. From first kisses to botched proposals, boss crushes to rockstar lovin’, these fun novellas will give you the happily ever afters you crave.

This amazing collection packed full of romance to help you through that delicious box of chocolates will also give some love back. All profits from Beaus & Arrows is going to Pennies-4-Paws!!

 

 NOW AVAILABLE for ONLY $0.99!

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2linG5X

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2lnQhDu

**Additional Retailers to follow**

 

 

Anthology Description

Perfectly Us by Abby Brooks: A secret Valentine’s Day proposal almost ruins everything for this small town couple.

 

Right For Love.by Aria Cole: One night, one dress, him and her. But can one swipe right really lead to love?

 

Pinnacle – A Destined Series Story by Ashley Suzanne: A sexy, NYC getaway weekend for Mira and Skylar lead them to altar … just not their own!

 

The Wedding-Night Stand by Ava Harrison: When one night of passion turns into forever.

 

One Night by Callie Anderson: Landon Winthrop walked into my life and consumed my mind, body, and heart. The only problem–he’s my boss.

 

All Wrong by Callie Harper: From spilling hot coffee all down her shirt to getting locked in a closet at a party, Sarah’s Valentine’s Day is going all wrong. But when an insanely hot crush gets involved, can some things go so wrong they become just right?

 

Love on a Plane by Ilsa Madden-Mills: Spider didn’t mean to fall for the uptight girl he sat next to on the plane. But once they kissed, all common sense went out the tiny window next to her. Too bad she was his future stepsister…

 

Taking My Shot by Jen Frederick

 

Someone Not You by Jessica Hawkins: Justin’s dazzling smile and wit have never failed him in the dating department—until his boss challenges him to win a date with the one girl who might be immune to his charms.

 

A Very Locklaine Valentine by Jessica Prince: The story of Richard’s epically disastrous proposal to Delilah.

 

What Love Built by JL Berg: The entire Cavenaugh family reunites for what is sure to be a very memorable Valentine’s Day.

 

Special Delivery by Liv Morris

 

Mr. First Time by L.J. Shen: A real-life story about first love, first kiss and all the things that make your heart beat faster.

 

Rhythm by Mandi Beck: Grab front row seats to Wrecked’s Valentine’s Day show and see just how sexy loving a rock star can be. Especially when he’s got a stash of lollipops.

 

Livi’s Love by MJ Fields: A Caldwell Brothers novella. Hendrix Caldwell loves his woman hard and his dog, too. Livi Caldwell is surrounded in a new world full of love, devotion, and a man who will do anything to keep her from stressing. Floyd, the couple’s pit bull has found herself in a predicament. What lengths will Hendrix go to for Livi and Floyd? In the end, Livi teaches her man once again there is always more love in this family to go around.

 

Yes, Yes, Yes by Nicola Rendell: A chocolate tasting gets dirty.

 

Game For Two: A Valentine’s Staycation by Rachel Blaufeld: Drew & Jules escape the madness for a romantic night at the beach.

 

Backfire by Rebecca Yarros: Bash’s perfectly planned proposal goes awry when he’s called away for a fire.

 

Entwined by SE Hall: My Valentine’s Day gift to all of you who asked for it- the wedding of Dane Kendrick and Laney Jo Walker.

 

Love and Latte by Sharon Hamilton

 

Beauty Knot by Stephie Walls: From marks and scars to joy and triumph, Callie and Liam finally get their fairytale. After nine years, this shotgun wedding goes every way but smoothly.

 

The Brightest Star by Yessi Smith: A story about two souls who continue to fall deeper into each other every day, as life unravels around them.

 

The post Beaus & Arrows is Available Now appeared first on Author Jen Frederick.

Surprise! I am participating in a new anthology with a short story, and wanted to share the cover reveal with you.

The Beaus & Arrows Anthology is a Valentin’e Inspired Anthology featuring 21 other amazing authors. If you are a blogger and would like to participate in the promo blitz for this anthology, please fill out the google form here.

 

Flowers are fun, but diamonds and forever win our hearts. 22 authors have come together to bring you everything you want in an anthology. From first kisses to botched proposals, boss crushes to rockstar lovin’, these fun novellas will give you the happily ever afters you crave.

Perfectly Us by Abby Brooks: A secret Valentine’s Day proposal almost ruins everything for this small town couple.

Right For Love.by Aria Cole: One night, one dress, him and her. But can one swipe right really lead to love?

Pinnacle – A Destined Series Story by Ashley Suzanne: A sexy, NYC getaway weekend for Mira and Skylar lead them to altar … just not their own!

The Wedding-Night Stand by Ava Harrison: When one night of passion turns into forever.

One Night by Callie Anderson: Landon Winthrop walked into my life and consumed my mind, body, and heart. The only problem–he’s my boss.

All Wrong by Callie Harper: From spilling hot coffee all down her shirt to getting locked in a closet at a party, Sarah’s Valentine’s Day is going all wrong. But when an insanely hot crush gets involved, can some things go so wrong they become just right?

Love on a Plane by Ilsa Madden-Mills: Spider didn’t mean to fall for the uptight girl he sat next to on the plane. But once they kissed, all common sense went out the tiny window next to her. Too bad she was his future stepsister…

Taking My Shot by Jen Frederick

Someone Not You by Jessica Hawkins: Justin’s dazzling smile and wit have never failed him in the dating department—until his boss challenges him to win a date with the one girl who might be immune to his charms.

A Very Locklaine Valentine by Jessica Prince: The story of Richard’s epically disastrous proposal to Delilah.

What Love Built by JL Berg: The entire Cavenaugh family reunites for what is sure to be a very memorable Valentine’s Day.

Special Delivery by Liv Morris

Mr. First Time by LJ Shen: Mr. First Time: A real-life story about first love, first kiss and all the things that make your heart beat faster.

Rhythm by Mandi Beck: Grab front row seats to Wrecked’s Valentine’s Day show and see just how sexy loving a rock star can be. Especially when he’s got a stash of lollipops.

Livi’s Love by MJ Fields: A Caldwell Brothers novella. Hendrix Caldwell loves his woman hard and his dog, too.

Livi Caldwell is surrounded in a new world full of love, devotion, and a man who will do anything to keep her from stressing. Floyd, the couple’s pit bull has found herself in a predicament.

What lengths will Hendrix go to for Livi and Floyd? In the end, Livi teaches her man once again there is always more love in this family to go around.

Yes, Yes, Yes by Nicola Rendell: A chocolate tasting gets dirty.

Game For Two: A Valentine’s Staycation by Rachel Blaufeld: Drew & Jules escape the madness for a romantic night at the beach.

Backfire by Rebecca Yarros: Bash’s perfectly planned proposal goes awry when he’s called away for a fire.

Entwined by SE Hall: My Valentine’s Day gift to all of you who asked for it- the wedding of Dane Kendrick and Laney Jo Walker.

Love and Latte by Sharon Hamilton

Beauty Knot by Stephie Walls: From marks and scars to joy and triumph, Callie and Liam finally get their fairytale. After nine years, this shotgun wedding goes every way but smoothly.

The Brightest Star by Yessi Smith: A story about two souls who continue to fall deeper into each other every day, as life unravels around them

The post Cover Reveal and Surprise Release appeared first on Author Jen Frederick.

Want an easier way to catch up on Lainey’s List? Read it on Wattpad here!

Epilogue

10 Years Later

Lainey

“Don’t keep looking out the window,” I admonish, as Nick pulls aside the curtain for what seems likes the hundredth time in the last ten minutes.

“It’s important to see how he drives. You can tell a lot about a guy based on that,” he replies, his face still glued to the glass.  “Are you sure we should let Cassidy go on this date? Girl’s only fifteen. She should be in her room studying or something.”

I hide my smile by rubbing my cheek between Nick’s shoulder blades. He’s having a hard time letting Cassidy go.

“Daddeeeeee!” A high-pitched voice squeals through the speaker system. “I’m ready for the pictures! If you don’t come down soon, we’re going to be late.”

Nick sighs, his shoulders drooping. “Why couldn’t you have backed me up when I told her no.”

“Because, like you said, she’s fifteen. It’s time. Speaking of time, I wish your son would hurry up and arrive.” I press a hand to my aching back. “I think I threw a disc walking up the stairs.”

My dear husband spins from the window and drops to his haunches, low enough to press an ear against my protruding stomach. “Hey, champ, now would be a good time to come out. You’d be saving your old man a world of hurt. If you come out now, I’ll buy you a battery-operated Porsche. Top of the line. How about it?”

Son number three remains stubbornly silent. He’s already a week overdue and is showing no signs of wanting to leave the nest, much to my intense dismay.

With another sigh, Nick straightens and leans in to give me a hard kiss. It doesn’t last long, though, because the screeching begins anew. Cassidy might be on the cusp of womanhood, but she doesn’t have much more patience than a flea.

“You better get downstairs before Cassidy loses her kittens,” I murmur against his mouth. Reluctantly, he drags his lips from mine.

“Coming,” Nick bellows, not bothering to use the intercom system. Years of barking out orders on the football field make it easy for him to project his voice. The squawking immediately stops.

He gives my giant stomach another pat before striding out of bathroom.

I follow at a slower pace, which is a good thing when our youngest barrels down the hall.

“Slow down there, cowboy,” his father warns, catching the seven-year-old by the arm. “Where’s the fire?”

“Cassie says the baby’s coming,” Thane shouts. His eyes dart around his father’s to pin on my stomach. “Is it? Is it going to drop out right now? Have you peed yet? Cuz Harper said when his mama had a baby she peed right on the floor. That’d be gross.”

Gross things fascinate Thane. “I’m not peeing on the floor, baby.” I run a hand over his short brown hair, dark like his daddy’s. “Your brother isn’t ready to come out yet.”

“I wish we were having another girl,” Thane grumps. “We’ve already got three men in the house.”

I hide a smile behind the back of my hand. Ever since Thane learned he wasn’t the youngest anymore, he’s been referring to himself as a man. I find it adorable, but he’s a serious boy so I can’t let on that it amuses me or I’d hurt his manly feelings.

Nick swings our soon-to-be middle son up into his arms. Long, lanky legs dangle down the side of Nick’s frame. Thane’s going to be a tall one—taller than his daddy, for sure. “I’m not good at making girls, son. Besides, we’ve got Cassidy and your mom. No other girls can compare to these two.”

“Uncle Reece says I smell like a barn, and that if we had more girls around, maybe I’d smell better, and then Sancha would like me instead of Dobson the dickhead.”

“Thane! Language!” I scold. I wait for Nick to add his rebuke, but he’s staring at the ceiling, nearly dying from the need to laugh.

“Sorry, mama,” Thane says completely unrepentant. “Uncle Reese says that—“

“Uncle Reese isn’t going to be babysitting you anymore if that’s the kind of language he’s using,” I warn.

“Uncle Reese didn’t say Dobson was a dickhead,” Thane says, with a most put-upon tone. “He said dickheads were guys that were so dumb, their heads were in their dicks.”

“Nah, you’re messing it all up.” A new voice adds his two-cents from the end of the hallway. Our oldest boy pushes away from the wall to shake his head at Thane. “Get it right. Dickheads are guys who think with their dicks. The guys with their heads up their dicks are assholes.”

“Gray! That’s enough,” I cry and shoot my husband a pleading look, but Nick is so red from holding in his laughter, I swear he’s going to explode.

“I am getting it right,” Thane replies indignantly. “The asshole is where the poop comes from. That’s different than the peehole. I ain’t the one wrong. You are!”

“Am not,” taunts Gray.

The two launch themselves at each other. Nick finally gathers his self-control and wades into a mess of flying fists to separate our two boys. Born only eleven months apart, the two look almost like twins. Their identical mouths are set in mulish lines, and their brown eyes spark fire at each other.

“None of that now,” Nick says. “You two promised to get along and take care of your mama tonight. You reneging on your promises?”

“No, sir,” chorus my two angels. They straighten their shoulders and shoot to my side, each one taking a hand. “We got you, Mama.”

“Thank you,” I say. “Now, we’re going to go downstairs and see your sister and daddy off.”

Halfway down the stairs, I stumble to a halt as Cassidy floats into the foyer. Standing under the crystal chandelier Nick had flown in from Milan when we bought this house seven years ago, my eldest child looks like she should be on the front cover of a magazine. Dressed in a peach gown with tiny sleeves and a skirt with so many layers of chiffon, we could cover the entire house, from end to end.

Nick slaps a hand across his chest. “Where’d Cassidy go?” he asks in mock surprise. Although, by the tone of his voice, part of that shock is very real. She’s growing up, and it’s so bittersweet.

“Daddy.” Cassidy rolls her eyes. “Obviously, I’m standing right here.”

“Nah, Cassidy’s a little girl.” He holds his hand up to his hip. “About so high. I used to carry her on my shoulders. You’re…you’re not a girl.”

She flushes, lifts her full ball gown skirt slightly and swishes it back and forth.

“Cassie’s still a girl, Daddy.” Thane says.

Nick reaches up and ruffles his hair. “Is that right?”

“Dad was being fascist,” Gray interjects.

“Facetious,” I correct.

“Whatever,” Gray replies with a scowl.

“Ha!” Thane points at his brother. “You missaid a word.”

“Missaid isn’t a word! And it’s mis-pronounce!” Gray yells back.

I move in between the two arguing boys before fists can fly again. “Cassidy, you look amazing. Greta did a marvelous job with you.”

“Thank you,” my daughter says. Her eyes sparkle like dark jewels. “And thank you for letting me go.”

Nick grumbles under his breath about boys and hormones and how a fifteen year-old at a prom is too young, but Cassidy and I ignore him.

“Go stand by the fireplace,” I instruct. “We’ll take a few pictures there before Ryan comes.”

“Ryan’s a terrible name,” Nick says. “Do you know how many successful quarterbacks there have been named Ryan? None.”

“That’s fine, Daddy, because Ryan’s an engineer. Not a football player.” Cassidy flounces over to stand in front of the unlit fireplace.

“Don’t remind him,” I advise. “Your dad can’t believe there’s a guy out there who doesn’t love football.”

“Ryan says real football is played with your feet,” Gray says.

Nick nearly crushes the camera between his hands. “I can’t believe we’re letting Cassidy go on a date with a boy who doesn’t even appreciate real sports.”

“Take the pictures, darling,” I say, running a soothing hand over his shoulders.

Outside, the sound of a car pulling up has the boys running to the door.

“It’s Ryan!” cries Thane in excitement. He throws open the door and races out.

Cassidy rushes behind them, forgetting both of her parents in her haste to get to her boyfriend before her brothers do.

“You sure I can’t punch him in the nose before they leave? Kind of as a pre-dance warning?” Nick asks, taking his place beside me. He snakes his arm around my back and I lean into him, grateful for his support.

“No, not even a friendly tap.”

“You’re no fun.”

“You didn’t say that nine months ago,” I tease, as I watch Ryan climb the steps. He high-fives the boys before stumbling to a halt.

“C-C-Cassidy,” he stammers. “You look beautiful.”

Cassidy ducks her head. “Thank you. You look amazing, too.”

The two stare at each other for a long moment until Gray makes a gagging noise. The teens break eye contact and start chattering with the boys. My soul swells so big at the site of my children talking together that I nearly expire.

Nick’s fingers curl around my waist. “Do we have to let her go?” he whispers. “She’s so young.”

“Today prom. Tomorrow college.” I stroke a hand over the top of my stomach. “But we’re always going to be a family. No matter how many dances she goes to, or how many boys come and sweep her away. No matter what, she’ll always be ours.”

His hand slides over to join mine.

“Ours,” he echoes.

The post Lainey’s List Epilogue appeared first on Author Jen Frederick.

Want an easier way to catch up on Lainey’s List? Read it on Wattpad here!

Nick

“Tell me again why Miss Valdez called you before calling 9-1-1?”

“Like you said, I’ve already explained multiple times,” I snap. The lawyer the team sent over clears her throat from the end of the sofa, a sign she wants me to answer the question. Except I’ve answered it three times already. I resist the urge to flip off the detective. The woman is doing her job. Gathering my composure, I say evenly, “I don’t know.”

“Can you elaborate?” The detective—her nametag says Ramos—poises her pen on her notebook as if waiting for something revelatory to fall from my lips.

“I don’t know. I’m guessing because she was afraid that her attacker would hurt her again.”

“And what’s your personal relationship with Miss Valdez?”

“She’s my fiancé,” I lie.

The lawyer starts to choke. The detective’s pen skitters off the edge of her notebook. Across the room, at the kitchen table, Lainey’s head pops up. She’s too far away to hear us, but she must see something in my face or something in the detective’s face that makes her eyes narrow. Her suspicious expression makes me want to smile.

That’s right, sweetheart. No backing out now. It’ll be in all the newspapers.

It’s a shitty thing to do, bind her to me in a way she can’t back away from, but we’ve danced around it for too long. We might as well dump all our baggage into one giant pile and let the vultures pick through it.

The detective recovers first. “Congratulations,” she says. “No ring, though? I’d have thought your three month’s salary would have conjured something with a little more…bling.”

We both glance at Lainey’s ring less left hand resting on her thigh.

“The ring’s being resized,” I answer, eyes still locked with Lainey’s. Hers are full of accusation. I press my lips tighter together to prevent the inappropriate smile.

She looks vexed which is a hundred times better than the shocked and half-terrified expression she wore when I busted in thirty minutes ago. Her irritated face turns pained as the emergency tech swabs a tender spot on Lainey’s head. Seeing the pain on her face drains all my humor away.

“What jeweler did you say?” the detective prods.

“I didn’t.” Suddenly, I’m in a rush to get this over with. “Any more questions?”

The lawyer senses my annoyance and jumps in before I can make a mess of things. “It’s a clear case of self-defense,” she argues. “The deceased was fired today. Angered, he came directly here and decided to assault his replacement’s fiancé. She fought back and in the ensuing struggle, the deceased was killed.”

I like that she didn’t use Chip’s name. He doesn’t deserve it. He’ll be forgotten, nothing more than a has-been, a footnote to my life and Lainey’s.

Tap tap goes the pen. “Why was he fired?”

“You should ask the front office. My client doesn’t make those decisions,” the lawyer stands up to signal that the interview is over.

Detective Ramos snaps her notebook shut. “I’ll be in touch. A man’s dead, so it’s not as if we can just zip his body up and call it a day.”

Why not?

“That’s exactly what you can do,” the lawyer says. “Everyone in Texas knows that the Castle Defense doctrine is held sacrosanct by juries. Ms. Valdez was in her home; she was being physically attacked. The law presumes she acted in self-defense. Even if you wanted to bring a case, you wouldn’t win.”

Ramos considers this for a moment and then turns to me. “Don’t go anywhere,” she warns.

“I’m playing on Sunday.” I spread my hands out. “Where would I be going?”

She scowls. “We’re not going to treat this case any differently just because you’re Nick Jackson.”

“I wouldn’t expect you to.”

The detective gives me one last glare before striding across the room to speak with Lainey. I start forward only to be hauled back by the lawyer. Her nails bite into my arm.

“Don’t ruin all your play acting now by rushing to her side,” the polished blonde says out of the side of her mouth.

I force myself to relax. I watch as the detective asks Lainey a few more questions. The EMT guy presses something into Lainey’s hand. If it’s his number, they’re going to need a second body bag.

Finally, after what seems like an eternity, everyone is finally out. Including us. Lainey’s condo is a crime scene. Good thing I live upstairs.

“I’m so glad Cassidy is up with Charlie and your parents,” Lainey says as we wait for the elevator to return from the lobby.

My knees buckle. I hadn’t thought of that. I reach out a hand and steady myself against the wall. “Thanks for that. I was wrecked before, and now I think you’re going to have to wheel me upstairs.”

Amused, she raises a hand to the top of her head where there’s a little bald spot. “I’ve had better days.”

We stare at each other for a moment, lost in a moment of silent gratitude.

“Sure you don’t want to go to the hospital?” I say as the elevator doors slide open.

“Yes, I’m sure.” She shudders. “I’m done with people poking and prodding me.”

In my condo, I lead her down the hallway to my bedroom and hustle her into the attached bathroom. Inside the medicine chest, I find a bottle of painkillers. I tap out two into my palm and then pour a glass of water.

“Take these.”

“Yes sir.” She salutes like a smartass but swallows the pills. “I can refill them with this.” She waves the paper in her hand. It’s a script for Vicodin.

“The emergency tech gets to live another day,” I quip. She winces. “Too soon?” I ask.

“A little.” She leans toward the mirror. “Is there blood in my hair?”

I part the hair carefully. “A little bit.” I lift her onto the vanity and turn on the faucet. “Does it hurt much?”

“Hurt more when it was being pulled out. It’s just an ache now.”

I carefully dab a lukewarm cloth onto her head, watching her closely for any wince.

“Hell of a way to start the season,” she murmurs, leaning her head against my chest.

“Yup.” There’s no point in denying it. The newspapers are going to go crazy. Blogs, talk radio, even the sports channels will all be talking about this. “Let them. I don’t care. “ I rinse out the washrag and wipe it across her cheeks where tears of anger and fear smeared her makeup. Part of me would like to go down to the morgue, or wherever Chip’s body is, and shoot a few more bullets into his corpse.

“Everyone’s going to say this is a complete circus.”

“I agree. It’s salacious, and until the season starts, it’ll be the top news story in all of sports.”

“That sucks.”

I shrug. “If it wasn’t this, it’d be something else. Let them talk. Once we win, they’ll shut up about it.”

“As if you need more incentive.” She knows the pressure is on this year and that’s why I fought this relationship for so long.

“Maybe I did. I played well last year because I had something to prove. This year, I’ve a new challenge. New motivation.” I’m not going to run away from someone as amazing as Lainey. With her beside me, I’m a stronger player and a better person. “Now hush up, because we’re going to bed.” I toss the rag into the sink and then hoist her into my arms. She curls her body into mine, hugging me tight.

“You’re getting to be bossy.”

“Yes.” Keeping one hand under her frame, I use the other to pull down the covers.

“You gonna be like this for the rest of our lives?”

I pause in the midst of pulling her bottoms off, take a deep, joyful breath, and then continue on, pretending that she didn’t just rock my world. “Probably.”

“We’re going to fight,” she warns. Her arms come up so I can pull off her shirt. “I can be bossy myself.”

“You don’t say,” I reply deadpan. She delivers a weak swat across my chest. “It’s one of my favorite things about you.”

“Why’re we going to bed?” She asks. “It’s six o’clock.”

“I told you. I’m wrecked.” I’m not even joking. Arriving at the apartment, the first thing I laid eyes on was blood in the hallway. My heart was in my throat as I stepped over Chip’s body to get into Lainey’s bedroom. Finding her huddled against the nightstand, the gun between her legs, is going to haunt my nightmares for weeks.

I shuck all my clothes, keeping my boxer briefs on, and climb into bed with her. Her hand immediately drifts down to the elastic waistband. I catch her fingers and pull them up to my mouth.

“Not tonight,” I say.

“Why not?”

“Because I’m traumatized.”

She laughs softly but snuggles close. “Let’s not do a big wedding like Charlotte and your brother. Let’s get Cassidy and go to City Hall. We can have a big celebration when Nate gets back. Maybe in the summer.”

“That’s good for me.”

“Your parents might be upset,” she warns.

“So? This is our love story. We’re doing it our way. They can marry Nate and Charlie again if they need to have another wedding.”

“Did you really buy me a ring?”

I pull away slightly to look at her in surprise. “Did you hear me?”

“Nah, I read your lips,” she admits.

“Huh. I best be careful in the future,” I tease.

“You know it.”

“I figured we could pick one out together. We’re a team now,” I tell her. “Let’s get you something gaudy. I mean if they’re going to talk about us, let’s give them something really worthwhile.”

Her laughter loosens up the remaining tightness in my chest. All’s well in our world. Chip’s gone. We’re in love. It doesn’t matter what happens in the upcoming season. I’ve already won.

The post Lainey’s List Chapter Fifty-Five appeared first on Author Jen Frederick.

Want an easier way to catch up on Lainey’s List? Read it on Wattpad here!

Trigger warning: There is violence against a woman in this scene.

LAINEY

“They told him that if he wants to spend the entire time drawing with one crayon, then that’s what we should let him do. He’s ten, for crying out loud! What happened to math and science?” The second Ms. Ledet, Emily, rants on about the first Ms. Ledet’s choice of schooling.

I adjust the volume in my headset. “That doesn’t sound productive.”

Despite wife number two’s relatively young age, twenty-one, she does have a point. The Meditative New School for Youth sounds ridiculously unfocused, but since the ten-year-old isn’t hers, she doesn’t have much of any say in where he goes to school. While counselor isn’t an official part of my job description, being good listeners is why we have repeat business.

Emily rants for a few more minutes. As she winds down, I jump in with a suggestion. “Why don’t I set up a science camp for next summer? Maybe a father/son one that the two guys can spend together before Simon has to go off to training camp.”

“That’s a great idea,” Emily pauses, and then in a small voice says, “I’ll never remember, though.”

I scribble a note. “Not to worry. That’s why you have Forget Me Not. We’ll take care of everything.”

The doorbell rings, saving me from any more discussion with Emily. “There’s someone at the door, Emily. I’ve got to run, but I promise that I’ll set up the summer camps.”

“Oh, wait, we didn’t get to the last item on my list,” she protests. “I want to have holiday lights for the house. All white, large bulbs. One of the ladies at the club told me everyone in the homeowners association does them. They use a company called Lights On. This will be our first Christmas here and if we don’t participate, I know they’ll talk about us!”

Rising to my feet, I make another note. Schedule xmas lights even tho it’s Sept.  “On it, Emily.”

The doorbell rings again and I say my goodbyes before she can speak again. “I’ll touch base with you at the end of the week. Bye!”

In my haste to get off the phone, I don’t look in the peephole. I don’t ask who is outside. I don’t pause to think who it might be. Instead, I swing open the door with an expectant look on my face. I see only half of Chip’s face before I realize my mistake. I should’ve made Emily go through her list another dozen times instead of answering the door.

My ex darts inside before I can stop him. I fall back, watching helplessly as he kicks the door shut and locks it.

“How’re you doing, Lainey? Feeling safe and smug in your house?”


“What are you doing here?” I ask, folding my arms around my waist and backing into the room. “How’d you get past the doorman?”

“Told him I was surprising my girlfriend.” He tosses a bouquet of mangled flowers to the side.

The backs of my legs bump into the coffee table. I look behind me, wondering how fast I can get into my bedroom and lock myself inside.

“Get out,” I say, but the words sound more like a plea than a command. I try again, this time with meaning. “Get the hell out.”

A nasty smile stretches across Chip’s face as if he can smell my fear. “Make me.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I spot my phone on the table. I lunge for it but before I can make contact, Chip’s fist whips out and strikes me in the chin.

I spin around, knocking the lamp over. Stumbling, I try to catch myself, but my hand slips off the edge of the table and I fall to my knees. His sneaker-clad foot is in my gut before I can steady myself.

Tears spring into my eyes, but the physical pain jolts the fear out of me. I scramble backwards for space, casting about for a weapon. There are magazines on the table. There’s the lamp that fell down. There’s my feet and my fists. I’m not making this easy for him.

Chip bends down, shoving a hand in my hair and wrenching my neck back. “Guess why I’m here.”

“Because you got fired.” I reach up to grip his wrist and try to pry it away from my head.

His nostrils flare in anger. “That’s right, bitch.”

His hand comes up to slap me, but this time I block it with my other hand. The impact sends a sharp pain from my wrist down my arm, but the resistance surprises Chip. Only for a second, though. His hand tightens in my hair.

“You broke the deal and now I’m breaking you.” He tries again to strike me but I fend him off.

I kick out, like a child having a tantrum, windmilling my legs. I hear him grunt as my foot makes contact with his thigh.

“You fucking, bitch. I’m going to hurt you so fucking bad.” He wrenches my leg to the side and then falls on top of me. Two hundred plus pounds drive me into the carpet.

I thrash underneath him, but he’s too strong. Keep fighting, I tell myself. He pulls on my hair again and this time I let him go, letting the pain feed my own anger. I scratch at his face, catching him in the eye.

“Goddammit,” he screams. He pushes up to this feet and for a moment, I think I’m free. For a moment.  Then he starts dragging me by my hair toward the kitchen. “I’m going to cut this fucking hair off and then I’m going to rape you with a knife because you’re not worth sticking my dick in again.”

I can’t stop the tears—the ones of pain, the ones of fear. But I can still fight.

“This is stupid, Chip. And you’re not stupid.” I make an appeal to his vanity while frantically thinking of a way to free myself. I need to jerk free. He’s got one hand on my head. I can get out of this. I can. I need leverage.

“This is the best idea I’ve had yet.” He sounds cheerful. The man has lost his ever lovin’ mind. My butt hits the tile as we cross the threshold from the living room into the kitchen. “See, if Nick is going to ruin me, then there’s reason why I need to be careful anymore. And if I’m going down, I’m going to make him regret it. What better way that to fuck you up? Literally.” He chuckles. The ball of terror in my stomach flips as he halts in front of the counter.

“Hurting me isn’t going to hurt Nick. We’re friends.” I claw at his wrist, but he doesn’t even flinch.

“Right. That’s why I got fired today. Because I messed with his friend. Fuck you, bitch.”

The sound of a knife leaving the butcher block sends chills down my spine.

“You’ve always loved your hair, Lainey. You know what they say? Pride goes before a fall.” He chuckles again.

When he applies the knife to my hair, I can’t stifle my sob. He’s right. I do love my big, messy, curly hair. But I love my life more. I shut my eyes and force myself to concentrate. When the hair is sliced off, I’ll have a moment of freedom. I wait for that. I ignore the strands of hair that fall to the floor and concentrate all my energy on the tiny window of opportunity that will be coming.

“You must have a magic pussy, huh? What’d you offer him that some other jock chaser couldn’t? Did you let him fuck you up the ass? Does he have some fetish? That’s it, isn’t it? He’s got some weird ass kink and you’ll do anything for him, won’t you?” He grabs me around the chin, the knife’s blade precariously close to my face. “What is it?”

I clench my jaw shut. “Tell me,” he screams, leaning down to make sure his spit hits my face. But as he does, his grip loosens. And there it is—my chance.

I spring forward, right into his hand holding the knife. It slices me across the cheek but I keep going. I keep running, diving toward my bedroom. There’s a roar behind me. His feet slam against the carpet.

I lunge for my nightstand and in one smooth, superhuman effort that I’d never be able to repeat if I practiced it a thousand times, I pull the handgun out and swing it around, shooting Chip in the chest just as he reaches for me.

The blast sends him backward. I pull the trigger twice more. There’s a gurgling noise and then the sound of a body crashing to the floor. The recoil from the handgun knocked me down too. I push myself up on an elbow, holding the gun up with my other hand—just in case.

But the body in the doorway doesn’t move. I reach up and grab the phone from my nightstand—it’s a miracle I didn’t knock it off—and dial Nick’s number. It’s amazing that I know it by heart.

“Lainey? I’m on my way to meet with—“

“I shot Chip in the chest,” I interrupt. “I may have killed him.”

There’s a beat of silence.

“I’m on my way.”

“Okay.”

I hang up and call 9-1-1.

“This is 9-1-1, please state your emergency.”

“I’ve had an intruder…”

The post Lainey’s List Chapter Fifty-Four appeared first on Author Jen Frederick.

Today is the release of DOWNED, the third book in the Gridiron series.

 

He’s the guy no one likes…

Despite winning two national championships, JR “Ace” Anderson was sent packing from his old school after losing the trust of his coach. At Southern U, he has a second chance to prove that his college legacy isn’t endless debauchery and selfishness. But his reputation precedes him, and his teammates offer a chilly welcome in the locker room. The one person who is willing to accept him is the very woman he should stay away from—his new coach’s daughter.

She’s the girl everyone loves…

Bryant Johnson’s only goal in life is to make others happy, even at her own expense. One look at her father’s new star quarterback, and she knows that Ace is her next project. With a reputation for being a “jerk whisperer”, Bryant has spent her last three years at college reforming sorry behavior and turning bad boys into the best boyfriends ever. In Ace, though, she’s met with surly resistance and a sizzling attraction she doesn’t expect. Fixing this wounded warrior will be her biggest challenge yet. Not falling for him will be even harder.

Between her big heart and his damaged one, a battle is ensuing. In this game of love, every defense will crumble.

 

Available on Kindle Unlimited!

US -> http://amzn.to/2gr8Jei

AUS -> https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B01N3LJK58

GER -> https://www.amazon.de/dp/B01N3LJK58

UK -> https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01N3LJK58

FR -> https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B01N3LJK58

Spain -> https://www.amazon.es/dp/B01N3LJK58

Italy -> https://www.amazon.it/dp/B01N3LJK58

NL -> https://www.amazon.nl/dp/B01N3LJK58

JP -> https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B01N3LJK58

IN -> https://www.amazon.in/dp/B01N3LJK58

Mexico -> https://www.amazon.com.mx/dp/B01N3LJK58

CA -> https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01N3LJK58

 *DOWNED and the other books in the Gridiron series are going to be available on Kindle Unlimited for the next 90 days. If you want to read DOWNED on another platform and you don’t want to wait, here’s how to get a copy:

Purchase DOWNED on Amazon using your favorite device: computer, phone, tablet
Forward me the receipt with your preferred format: iBook, Kobo, GooglePlay, Nook, or other
Receive the book in your inbox!

The post Downed Release appeared first on Author Jen Frederick.