Changing Forever Cover Reveal

We're very excited to share the gorgeous cover and a short excerpt from Changing Forever by Author Lisa De Jong! 

Title: Changing Forever (Rain 2, can be read as a stand alone)

Author: Lisa De Jong

Age Group: NA

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Cover Designer: Mae I Design

Release date: June 24, 2014

Goodreads

Blurb:
I’ve always let my past dictate my future, letting it paint a picture of exactly what I don’t want to be. Where I don’t want to end up.

Drake Chambers is as arrogant as I am stubborn. A college quarterback, a national star. I thought he was just another one of those guys … the type every girl should stay away from, but he’s carrying more than the weight of the football team on his shoulders.

He unravels the feelings and beliefs I’ve held onto for so long.

I thought we had it all figured out. Two people who’d finally found their happily ever after, but the past always has a way of sneaking into the present.

With one decision, everything changes … forever.

Excerpt

          Scanning the room again, I see her standing with Cole Dillon, laughing at whatever he’s talking about. Cole’s one of the few guys on the team who I don’t consider to be a complete dickhead, at least when it comes to the way he treats girls. He’s one of the only guys who doesn’t disappear into a bedroom every Saturday night at these parties. He’s also the type of guy Emery deserves, which makes watching this that much more difficult.

            I stay put, trying to convince myself she’s a big girl and can do what she wants, but I’m not good at this, and it all goes out the fucking window when he puts his hand on her arm. My jaw clenches as I walk to where they stand, ignoring the crowds of people I pass. Just as I reach them, Emery throws her head back in laughter again, and Cole looks at her with a loving glint in his eye. At this point, he’ll be lucky if I throw the ball to him at all next Saturday.

            When Emery finally sees me, she stops, putting her hand on Cole’s forearm. “Hey, Drake, why didn’t you tell me Cole was so funny?”

            My cheeks are probably bright red, because my face is fucking burning. “I guess I didn’t realize Cole was a comedian off the field.” There’s a venomous bite to my voice. The way his expression changes tells me he heard it.

            “He was telling me stories about the team’s road trips. I’m surprised any of these guys have girlfriends.” She smiles, bumping her shoulder against his. If she’s trying to irritate me, she’s doing a great job.

            I clench my fists at my sides, trying hard to hold myself back. “I think it’s time for us to go,” I say, staring straight at her.

            “But I’m just starting to have fun. Besides, you didn’t really want to come here together anyway. I’m sure Cole will give me a ride home.” She looks up to Cole again, and I swear to God she winks.

            I can’t do this anymore. I know she’s mad about what happened earlier, and if she’s trying to get back at me, she’s succeeding. I can’t remember the last time I wanted to punch somebody, especially someone I like.

            Grabbing her free hand in mine, I walk to the door, giving her no choice but to follow. At first she drags her feet, but I’m almost double her weight. She’s not going to win this battle.

            “Drake!” She tries to pull her fingers from mine, but I win again.

            “We’re leaving,” I say, not bothering to look back.

            Before I can take another step, Cole’s in front of me, eyes blazing. “I don’t think she wants to leave with you.”

            “She came with me. Now get out of my way, Dillon. She’s fine,” I seethe. I just want to get the fuck out of here.

            He glances back at Emery, and then steps out of my path, allowing me to walk past.

            “Are you sure you don’t want to leave with Olivia?” I hear her faint voice behind me.

            I stop, looking back. “What?”

            She looks hurt. Genuinely hurt. “I saw you with her earlier. She must be good enough to be seen with here.”

            Something snaps inside me. We continue to fight our way through the crowd, but before we reach the door, I change the plans. She tries to pull away from me, but I don’t let her. Maybe it’s the two drinks I’ve had or the emotion I’m drowning in, but I find myself pulling her into the half bath off the living room. The look on her face when my eyes catch hers again is one of shocked surprise.

            When we’re both inside, I push the door shut, reaching behind her to lock it. She doesn’t take her eyes off me, and I can’t take mine off her. This girl … I don’t know what she’s doing to me.

            “You’re good enough, Emery. In fact, you’re too fucking good for me. Don’t you get it? I want you so bad right now, but I’m fighting it because you should be with someone like Cole. He can be what you need … I can’t.”

            Her eyes widen as she stares at me. “He’s not the one I want.”

            Grabbing her hips, I pull her body so it’s flush against mine. She trembles in my hold, but the hungry look in her eyes begs me to continue.

            I run my fingertips up her sides, feeling the smooth texture of her t-shirt against my skin. Her chest heaves as my lips move toward hers. She’s hesitant. I feel it. I see it. This isn’t the first time I’ve done this to her, or the second.

            I stop when my lips are so close to hers, one might think we’re actually touching. Her warm breath tickles my skin, making it impossible to think. “I’m going to kiss you.”

Author Bio:

Lisa De Jong is a wife, mother and full-time number cruncher who lives in the Midwest. Her writing journey involved insane amounts of coffee and many nights of very little sleep but she wouldn't change a thing. She also enjoys reading, football and music. She is the author of When It Rains, After the Rain, Plastic Hearts and Glass Hearts.

Contact: lisadejongwrites@gmail.com, @LisaDeJongBooks, Facebook, Website

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Last Teaser from Plastic Hearts

This one is a little steamier than previous teasers...not recommended for the younger crowd;)

Release: March 1, 2013

I heard Dane clear his throat from across the table and looked up to find him staring at me. “Do you need help with something?”
He had a glint in his eyes, those beautiful green eyes. “Actually, yes, can you see if you can find a book on Salvador Dali? I suck at finding books in the library; it’s like the road less traveled without a map.”
“But they have a whole system,” I said. I thought that learning the Dewey Decimal System was a pretty standard part of elementary school education. Maybe it wasn’t in New York.
“I know, I just don’t have time to learn it today. Please. I’m buying you a pizza later,” he said before sticking his lower lip out at me. How could I say no to that?
“Fine, I’ll be right back.” I walked through a few aisles to the back of the library. This was definitely a less utilized area of the library. The books all looked and smelled old. When I was younger, I used to go into my grandparent’s library and pull books from the shelf to smell them. Some people liked the smell of gasoline or rubber cement, but for me it was always the smell of old books. The old leather bound ones smelled the best. I couldn’t help myself when I grabbed a black leather Art History 1800-1899 book from the shelf and inhaled its scent. 
I had completely lost touch with all reality, when I felt big strong arms wrap around my waist. Turning around quickly, I saw Dane standing in front of me with a huge grin on his face. “What are you doing over here? I thought you didn’t know your way around the library?” There was a bit more annoyance in my voice than I intended, but he had just taken me away from my “moment”.
“I know my way around the library; we learned that back in elementary school.” He was still grinning at me and I was not seeing the humor in this. He definitely had other things on his mind. They weren’t the smartest, considering the circumstances.
“But-” I started. He placed a finger on my lips and moved us back so I was up against the bookcase. He replaced his finger with his lips and I was temporary frozen in place. I couldn’t believe my boyfriend was kissing me in the library in the middle of the day. Alexandra Riley did not do this, but after thinking about if for a split second I realized that Alex Riley would so do this and I wrapped my arms around his neck. The electricity between us was uncontrollable and I felt like I’d combust at any moment. 
He walked us into a dark corner where he began to move his hands up to my breasts. “Dane!” A light chuckle escaped his mouth, but he didn’t stop and God knows I really didn’t want him to. I felt all self-control and self-consciousness leave my body as I wrapped my legs around his waist. I was not sure who started it, but our bodies began to move slightly and it created a friction between my legs that had me biting his shoulder a few minutes later. A week ago I hadn’t even had sex, and now I was having orgasms in the library. 
When I had calmed down, Dane stood me on my feet and helped me straighten out my clothes. I laughed as he worked to adjust himself. I felt bad that he didn’t get as much out of our little exchange as I did, but I wasn’t quite ready to take care of that problem in the library. 
I started to walk back to our table when Dane said my name. I turned around; he looked serious, but he was biting his lip to hold back an obvious smile. “Did you find that book?”
I walked toward him, stopping when our lips were only inches apart, “You seem to know your way around the library just fine”. I ran my eyes down his body before returning them to meet his. He wanted me to kiss him, his eyes were hooded and bore into me with enough passion for the both of us. 
When I turned to walk toward the table, he grabbed my wrist. “It was the glasses.”
“What?” I was genuinely confused.
“The glasses,” he repeated, pointing at them where they rested on top of my head. “They are sexy as hell and if you wear them to the library or anywhere else again, I’m going to-” He stopped. 
“Going to what?”
He pulled me close and whispered in my ear. “I’m going to fuck you and I won’t care who’s watching.” He released me and I walked back to the table in stunned silence. His words sent another shot of warmth through my body and a red tint to my face. He sat down with a big grin; part of me wanted to smack it off his face and part of me wanted to return it.

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Plastic Hearts Prologue

Prologue from Plastic Hearts
Release March 1, 2013

 

"Another mimosa, miss?" the waiter asked, distracting me from the piece of art in the corner.

"No, I'm fine. Thank you," I replied, shifting my attention back to the modern abstract painting. I hated the country club, but I had to admit the decorator had great taste. 

"Are you having a good time?"

I turned to face Ryan, my boyfriend of eight months. I smiled weakly at him. I was not having a good time, but I would never admit it.  This was my part.  To play the happy, successful, put-together daughter who doted on her parents.  Being here with our families made me miss the peace of my college dorm. Only four more hours before we had to leave to head back to NYU. Still, it seemed four hours too long.

"Yes, the food is delicious," I said, pulling my muffin apart and popping a piece in my mouth.  Honestly, I had barely touched anything.  My mother watched what I put in my mouth and I would rather go hungry than listen to her rattle off how many calories I ate.  She wouldn’t do it here, of course.

"So, Alexandra, have you decided which field you're going to practice medicine in?" Thomas, Ryan's father, asked.

I cleared my throat and glanced around the table, realizing all eyes were on me. "I'm thinking about pediatrics, but I'm still undecided," I finally replied. The truth was that I haven't been thinking about it at all. I noticed my father's eyes were locked on me. This was a rare occurrence, but also one that terrified me. His attention rarely came with good intentions.

"As in surgery?" my father asked, his eyes were still glued on mine.

I looked down to calm my racing nerves. "No, just general pediatrics. I don't think surgery is for me." Medicine in general wasn't for me.

My eyes met his again and I said a silent prayer that we were in the club and this conversation wouldn’t continue. He gave me a look that said it wasn't over, but returned his attention to his prime rib. I took a deep breath as I began to move the fruit around on my plate.

Ryan placed his hand on my thigh. "Are you all right? You seem tense."

"I'm fine," I said, leaning in to kiss his cheek.

"Aren't they adorable Catherine?" Jillian, Ryan's mom, beamed from across the table, leaning in on her elbows.

I glanced over at my mother who sat with her signature fake smile. She looked happy and had a polite demeanor whenever we were around her friends. "Yes, they are. How can they not be though? Look at us," my mother said, bringing her third glass of wine to her perfect red lips.

"I see some planning in our future," Jillian smiled. I almost choked on a piece of pineapple. I could imagine all the time the two of them have spent discussing our future. They would like nothing more than for the two of us to make little country club babies.

"Gwen, how are the wedding plans coming along?" I asked to bring the attention away from myself.

"Great! We have the menu all worked out and the tuxes have been ordered. Just a few little things left and then we are all set," my sister said, smiling up at her fiancé. They looked perfect together, but that was where the connection ended for me. So many times, I'd wanted to ask her if this was what she truly wanted, because I think the line between her wants and my parent’s wants had been blurred.

"When will the bridesmaid dresses be in?" I asked.

"Next week. I'll give you a call when it comes in and you can pick it up at Kleinfeld."

"I hope it still fits with all the bread you've been eating over break," my mother sneered from across the table. I waited for someone at the table to correct her, to tell her she was being ridiculous, but no one said a word.

I needed fresh air. I needed to get out of her for a few minutes to regain my equilibrium. "Ryan, do you want to go take a walk outside for a few minutes?"

"Sure, let me go grab our coats," he said, walking away from the table. Gwen grabbed my hand. "Alex, don't worry. You'll look gorgeous in your dress," she smiled. I squeezed her hand and walked toward the lobby to meet Ryan.

Ryan helped me with my coat and we stepped outside to take in the cool January air. It was unbearably cold this time of year, but I would rather be anywhere but at that table. Our families had come to the Hamptons for winter break and it had been the longest three weeks of my life. Okay, maybe not the longest, but now that I knew what it was like to be on my own after finishing one semester of college, this was torture. I was constantly trapped under a microscope and couldn't get out from under it. It wasn't like I ever really tried. This was my life; I was used to it and up until recently, I thought I was happy with it.

"Do you want to go sit in the car? I'm freezing," Ryan asked, entwining his fingers with mine.

I nodded as we walked toward his shiny black BMW. Being alone with him has been awkward during these last few weeks. Things would be so much easier if we had just remained friends. He opened the door for me before moving to the driver’s side.  He cranked up the heat, rubbing his hands together as we sat in silence.

"I can't believe classes start again in two days," he said, breaking the silence.

"I know. I'm ready to get back in a routine though. You?"

He shrugged. "I don't know. I won't get to see you again until Gwen's wedding." He grabbed my hand and rubbed his lips over my knuckles. He was a sweet guy, but maybe not the one for me. I had gone back and forth, trying to decide what I should do about us. I needed to make a decision soon.

"I can't believe she is getting married in two months. It seems like just yesterday we were riding our bikes through the neighborhood." I smiled at the memory. Things were simple back then.

"Yeah. Do you remember when we were racing and you fell and tore your new tights?"

I laughed. "Yeah, we buried them in your sand box and tried to convince my mother that I hadn't worn any that day."

"That didn't work though, did it?" he asked. I stopped laughing as I remembered how my mother cornered me until I told her the truth. She always picked up on my lies. Always. I didn't get to ride my bike the rest of that summer as a punishment.

"No, it didn't," I whispered. Ryan and I created an album of memories between us. Some were good and some were bad, but we experienced it all together. He knew the parts of me I let him see well. He just didn't hold the key to everything.

He cupped my face in his hands, bringing my eyes to his. I didn't see electric sparks. I didn't see rainbows. I saw my best friend. As he leaned in to kiss me, I closed my eyes and tried to pretend that this was where I wanted to be. That this was what I wanted to be doing, but still no electricity. He pulled away. "I love you, Alexandra."

"I love you, too," I whispered. And I did. I loved him, but I needed to consider what that meant to me. Was he my forever?

"We should probably get back inside before someone comes looking for us," Ryan said, turning the car off.

I followed him inside, telling myself only three hours and six minutes before I could leave again. Before I could return to my new normal.