In Too Deep (In Too Deep #1)
by Michelle Kemper Brownlow.
Audience/Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance, Abuse.
Publication: June 3rd 2013 by Sapphire Star Publishing.
Gracie
has just finished her freshman year of college in Memphis when she
takes a job at a local pizza joint in her home town of McKenzie,
Tennessee. She is the epitome of innocence when she meets Noah. Noah is
unabashedly handsome, intriguingly reckless and just cocky enough to be
sexy. Gracie’s instincts tell her to stay far away from him and based on
the stories she hears from her co-workers he leaves broken hearts in
his wake. But still, she can’t explain her fascination with him.
Noah puts aside his bad boy ways when what he thought was a summer crush
has him unexpectedly falling in love. But soon after Gracie transfers
to UT Knoxville to be with Noah, their unexpected love becomes riddled
with anger, deceit and humiliation.
Jake, Noah’s former roommate and Gracie’s best friend, can no longer be a
bystander. Gracie’s world falls out from beneath her and when she
breaks she turns to Jake for strength. As Jake talks her through a
decision she’s not yet strong enough to make, together they uncover a
truth so ugly neither of them is prepared for its fallout. Will Jake
pull her to the surface or is Gracie Jordan finally In Too Deep?
On Solid Ground (In Too Deep #2)
Publication: November 27th 2013 by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform .
Gracie
survived an emotionally abusive relationship that wrecked her. Her ex,
Noah, systematically chipped away at her self-esteem through
intimidation, humiliation and infidelity which left Gracie unable to
trust her own perception of his intentions. But after falling head over
heels for Jake, her best friend and the man who stood by her through it
all, she is ready to experience life in the way it was meant to be
lived. However, Gracie may find it impossible to simultaneously heal
from the trauma of abuse while navigating a relationship with Jake. Can
she put her heart on hold in order to heal her soul? The sequel to the
five-star debut novel, In Too Deep, chronicles Gracie's steps toward
healing as she falls deeper in love, reaches out for help, stands on her
own, steps out of her comfort zone, faces her biggest fears, and
reconnects with a sensual, talented soul from her past all in hopes of
finding herself on solid ground.
Becki
Mowry's journalism expertise keeps her busy as she spends her waking
hours filling a calendar with gigs and public appearances for her
boyfriend's up and coming band, Alternate Tragedy. Radio interviews and
TV spots result in sold out concerts and rowdy groupies hot for her guy;
lead singer, Calon Ridge. But, as fame would have it, their time in the
limelight also brings sabotage, rumors and false accusations. Becki and
Calon try to stay steadfast on a personal journey that takes them to
the depths of fear and uncertainty. And finally, the rug is pulled out
from under the band when they must make a transition they never dreamed
they'd be faced with. In this third book of the In Too Deep series,
Becki and Calon struggle to find balance as they navigate their new
relationship while living amid the rock world's nocturnal chaos. But
when life's unexpected obstacles come out of nowhere, they focus on
finding their own private solace Above the Noise.
Excerpts From Each Book...
IN TOO DEEP ~ EXCERPT
“Talk to me.” Jake scooted closer and tucked my hair behind my ear. I
rolled over onto my back and crossed my arms over my stomach.
“Jake. I hate that I am even going to say this out loud, but…Noah makes
me feel like an idiot sometimes. I mean, part of why he was so taken by
me in the beginning was because of how innocent I was. He liked that I
was so naïve and didn’t know about a lot of things. And now, it seems
like he isn’t happy unless I sacrifice that for him.”
“Hm. That’s messed up.”
“Do you think less of me for smoking pot, Jake?”
“Gracie, our mistakes don’t define us, they help us make the choices that will one day be woven into who we become.”
“Wow.”
“What?”
“You’re deep at two a.m.”
“Gracie, you can’t let him steal who you are. You need to make choices
based on who you are…right here.” He poked his finger into my chest.
“Don’t make decisions because Noah is standing behind them convincing
you they are the right choices for you.”
“See, it makes so much sense when you say it. If I am thinking of
someone else in the same situation, I would give them that exact advice,
although not as scholarly as you just did.” I giggled and poked him in
the bare chest that was peeking out above his comforter.
“So, take your own advice, Gracie.”
“It’s not that easy. It’s like he’s got strings tied to my emotions and
my common sense. I can’t seem to think for myself when he wants me to do
something I’ve never done before.”
“Does he make you feel guilty if you don’t want to?”
“Sometimes, but mostly he just makes me feel stupid. Like I’m too immature to make a sound decision. So, he makes it for me.”
“Gracie! Only you should be controlling the things you are doing with
your mind…and…your body. Gracie, please don’t let him take things from
you that you aren’t ready to give. Promise me.”
“It’s not like that, Jake. It’s not like he knows he’s making me feel
that way. I just do. I guess maybe I am just reading into his
expressions and assuming what he’s thinking. Maybe I am just too
insecure around him to think straight sometimes.”
“I wouldn’t doubt that he knows exactly what he’s doing. I’ve seen him in action.”
I had never been conscious of the things we spoke about in Jake’s bed.
It was like pieces came together when Jake and I spoke. My thoughts
flowed freely and they made sense. I never felt like I had to be anyone
but me when I talked to Jake. He was so comfortable. I rolled over on my
side again so I could see him as he spoke.
“You shouldn’t be with someone who makes you feel that way, Gracie.
Look, Noah is my friend but I have seen what he can do. He’s crushed
more than a few girls on this campus. I know we’ve all seen him make a
big change, but you still have to be careful.”
“I know, Jake. He wouldn’t hurt me on purpose. I know he loves me. I
think he just wants me to be a little more adventurous. I think he gets
sick of the goody-two-shoes-Gracie.”
“The Gracie I know,” he laid his hand on my cheek and kissed me on the
tip of my nose, “is one of the most incredible people I have ever met.
Her smile lights up a room and everyone feels her joy because, take it
or leave it, she comes with no pretenses. You get all of her. The second
you meet her, you’ve got her heart. And her security in her convictions
is what makes her shine.”
Tears flowed in a stream across my face and onto the pillow under my
head. Jake gently placed his hand on the side of my face and wiped the
tears away with his thumb.
“Oh, Jake.” I sobbed out his name and crumbled in his bed. I didn’t know
how he could still see me as the girl he just described. I wasn’t sure I
even remembered her.
“Come here, Gracie. Let me hold you.” He lifted the covers so I could
climb under. He enveloped me in all that was Jake—his strength, his
honesty and an indescribable level of friendship I never knew existed. I
didn’t know what was to come with Noah, but I knew Jake would never
walk away from me. I didn’t know how to do life without him.
ON SOLID GROUND ~ EXCERPT
I felt my phone buzz against my leg.
Sam.
I answered just as the waitress brought Becki’s food and a carafe of
coffee for me. I smiled to thank her, phone glued to my ear.
“Gracie,” he started talking before I even said hello. “Honey, tell me you’re okay.”
“Sam, I’m okay. I’m with Becki, and I really don’t want to talk about
anything right now. I’m just trying to clear my head. How did you know—”
I was pretty sure I knew the answer to my question though he answered before I finished it.
“I just got off the phone with Jake.”
“Are you angry with me, Sam?”
“Angry? No. I’m worried about you. And him. You guys are…” His voice
trailed off as Becki took her seat and started in on her home fries.
“I know. With all my heart, I didn’t want to walk away from Jake, but I
just need some time, that’s all.” I spoke, and Becki mouthed his name
and cocked her head, questioning if that was who was on the phone. I
nodded.
“I get that. I guess I just needed to hear it from you.”
“I don’t want to hurt him, Sam. He feels like I can only love him with
part of my heart because he feels like Noah still holds the rest.”
Becki’s eyes bulged, and Sam went silent. This was a great way to talk
it out, to both confidantes at the same time. Stacy would probably be
pissed I wasn’t sharing this with her, but I was so pained by the
decision to walk away from Jake, I couldn’t bear saying it any more than
I already had. Plus, I couldn’t afford a call to Florence, which is
where she was when she’d posted pictures online the night before.
It literally brought pain to my chest, thinking of Jake pacing in his
apartment, running his hands through his hair, and mumbling to himself,
trying to understand and digest what was happening. But, how could I be
selfish and stay with him if being with him only reminded him of the
part of my heart he thought he would never hold?
I ended up putting Sam on speaker and the three of us talked it out for
over an hour. My heart had stopped racing, and I wasn’t shaking as much,
but my thoughts were still frantic and open-ended. When Becki went up
to the register to pay the check, I took Sam off speaker and finished
our conversation.
“Gracie, he wants what’s best for you, and if putting an end to the
relationship is best, he will be okay. It will hurt him, and he will
have to heal, but he’s more about your happiness than his own. You know
that.”
“I know, Sam. I just want him to be happy, but maybe that won’t happen with me.”
“Gracie, how about you start focusing on you and what makes you
happy…and whole. If you stop worrying about how your decisions will
affect other people, you may find the answers to your questions and
comfort in place of your doubt.”
“What the hell? Are you reading that out of a book?” I giggled. I knew
Sam was deep and emotional—I’d seen that side of him before—but it
wasn’t usually something that happened between the two of us. He usually
just let Jake do the talking and pulled a “yeah, what he said” kind of
follow-up.
“Hey! Jake isn’t the last romantic stud on the planet. There are a few more of us around. Thanks for doubting my soft side.”
“Aww, Sam, I don’t doubt your romantic side. Thanks for your advice. It
makes a lot of sense, and it’s exactly what I needed to hear.”
“I’m always here for you, too. Jake isn’t the only collegiate Superman, you know.”
“I know. Thanks, Sam.”
“I love you, Gracie.”
“I love you, too. Talk soon?”
“Hope so.”
Becki was sitting across the table having just walked into a whole lot
of mush at the end of my conversation with Sam. “What the hell is with
you?” She stood and motioned toward the door. “You have two of the most
amazing men on the planet wound around your finger. Why…how? Nevermind.
You piss me off.” She chuckled and bumped into me with her hip as we
walked out the door.
ABOVE THE NOISE ~ EXCERPT
Becki
The first time Calon and I drank together was after one of their shows
when he walked me back to my dorm. The guys didn’t usually drink during a
show, but a big storm rolled in that night just as their first set
started. The atmosphere inside Mitchell’s unexpectedly turned from a
slamming rock sound to an acoustic vibe when the lights went out. Gracie
ran around and gathered as many candles as she could from the back
room, and we all helped her light them and place them on the silent
speakers all around the stage. Calon and the guys enjoyed beer after
beer and did a show like I’d never seen from them. It was rustic with a
little folk-funk. The bar’s patrons sang along in the glow of about
forty container candles of all different sizes. Calon sat center stage
on a stool and sang away the hours with his guitar resting on his thigh.
The whole night was ethereal and quaint and very fucking sexy.
He asked if he could walk me home again, which was exactly what I’d
hoped for. When we crossed the road right outside of Mitchell’s, Calon
grabbed my hand, and we ran for the opposite sidewalk that led across
campus and up to my dorm. Electricity ran through the hand he held, I
was sure he could feel it because he didn’t let go.
He told me groupie stories for the entire length of our walk to my room.
I was laughing when I pushed my door open. Being a little tipsy, I
tripped and fell into him, pinning him against the open door. My hands
landed on his chest, and, in an attempt to keep up both upright, his
strong hands grabbed my hips. My mind shot back to the thoughts I’d had
earlier while watching his deft fingers move on the strings of his
guitar.
His t-shirt was damp from sweat, and his curls tickled my forehead when
he laughed. It was one of those moments you see in movies when the
couple finds themselves in a compromising position and they freeze;
chests heaving, mouths agape, and hearts racing. His eyes searched my
face, but for what I didn’t know.
I pushed off his chest and, a bit shaken, walked to the mini fridge and
grabbed the bottle of vodka from the top freezer portion.
“Shots?” I spun around and took in all of him; dark curls, sultry green
eyes, an intense stare, and lips I could entertain for days.
“Absolutely.” He let the door close, plopped down on my bed, and leaned
back against the wall, his legs so long they hung at a weird angle not
quite touching the floor. He had a hole in his jeans just below his
front pocket, which puckered when he sat. I had a hard time diverting my
attention from it.
I was completely oblivious to what my heart was capable of at that
point, so the alcohol was an attempt to loosen up before we started
making out. This was the token third time he’d been to my room, and
that’s just how it typically worked. The guy comes back the third time
after not getting laid the first two, you know they want it, or they’d
have given up after the second night of blue balls.
We did a couple shots and laughed about random shit, and then there was
the uncomfortable silence; it was deafening. I decided to make the first
move before it got really awkward. I turned on the twinkling lights
that hung above my bed and turned off the overhead fluorescents. I
climbed onto the bed on my knees facing Calon and reached for his face
to pull him in for a kiss. He stopped me and held me still by the
wrists.
“Becki, I’m not here for that.” He loosened his grip on my wrists, and I dropped my hands in my lap.
“Oh.” Fuck. He wasn’t interested. It was one thing to be turned down by
the conceited freak from my study group, but to be turned down by a hot
rock star who probably hits every piece of ass offered to him sliced a
little deeper. I brushed it off like it didn’t bother me, but it did.
“No, no. Listen.” He took my chin between his thumb and finger and
pulled my face a little closer to his. “I am extremely attracted to you,
Becki. I love your personality, and you’re gorgeous, so my comment
wasn’t a rejection.” He smiled, and I felt like a complete idiot, a
slutty idiot.
“It’s okay, I get it. It was stupid for me to—”
“Shh. No regrets, Becki. You’re attracted to me, too, and I’m glad. I’m
just not one to rush into that kind of thing.” He dropped his hand from
my chin, and it joined my hands in my lap. I held his hand with both of
mine.
“Wow. I’m pretty sure you’re the first rock star in history to turn down
a groupie.” I rolled my eyes and got up to pour more shots. Calon
followed me over to the mini fridge, put his hands on my waist and spun
me around. His thumbs touched my skin when my Marilyn Monroe tank
flounced with my spin.
“I don’t see you as a groupie, Becki, and I’m technically not turning
you down. I can’t explain it, but I feel like there’s more here between
us, a connection that we should pay attention to.” He rubbed the outside
of my bare arms with his warm, strong hands. Those fingers…
Michelle
Kemper Brownlow has been a storyteller her entire life. Her debut was
on the high school cheerleading bus granting requests to re-tell her
most embarrassing moments for a gaggle of hysterical squadmates.
Earning her Bachelor’s degree from Penn State University in Art
Education and then marrying her very own “Jake,” she moved to
Binghamton, NY where she taught high school. After having two children
she quit work and finished her Master’s degree in Elementary Education
at Binghamton University.
The Brownlow family of four moved to Michelle’s hometown of Morgantown,
PA while the children were still quite young. A few years after moving,
her family grew by one when they welcomed a baby into their home through
the gift of adoption. The family still resides in PA, just miles from
where that high school cheer bus was parked.
Michelle has been an artist for as long as she can remember, always
choosing pencils and crayons over toys and puzzles. As a freelance
illustrator, her simple characters play the starring roles in numerous
emergent reader books published by Reading Reading Books.
Buy The Book :
Goodreads | Amazon | The Book Depository
Find The Author :
Goodreads | Website | Twitter
Holiday Treasure (Billionaire Bachelors #10) 
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