Plastic Hearts Cover Reveal

Plastic Hearts by Lisa De Jong
Release Date: March 1, 2013

Blurb:

My life has always been safe. I like it that way. I grew up in a fake society where plastic hearts rule. If our hearts are made of plastic, they can never be broken. My parents have expectations and I do everything I can to meet them, even if it means giving up on my own dreams. 

Now, all I want is to be free to make my own choices.

Dane Wright is everything I have been warned to stay away from. We met one night while I was with my perfect, parent-approved boyfriend and I haven’t stopped thinking about him. I don’t want to like him. I am doing everything I can to ignore his pull, but my heart seems to want what it cannot have, what it has never had.

Can he measure up? He may think I am too good for him, but maybe he is too good for me. 

Life is a series of choices and I have never been able to make my own. Until one day, when my heart decides to make a choice for me.

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Video Teaser #1

Plastic Hearts Book Description

My life has always been safe. I like it that way. I grew up in a fake society where plastic hearts rule. If our hearts are made of plastic, they can never be broken. My parents have expectations and I do everything I can to meet them, even if it means giving up on my own dreams. 

Now, all I want is to be free to make my own choices.

Dane Wright is everything I have been warned to stay away from. We met one night while I was with my perfect, parent-approved boyfriend and I haven’t stopped thinking about him. I don’t want to like him. I am doing everything I can to ignore his pull, but my heart seems to want what it cannot have, what it has never had.

Can he measure up? He may think I am too good for him, but maybe he is too good for me. 

Life is a series of choices and I have never been able to make my own. Until one day, when my heart decides to make a choice for me.

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Plastic Hearts Teaser #4

I stared at him for a moment silently pleading before he spoke again.  “I’ll step out in the hall if you do one thing for me first.”

I eyed him suspiciously, “And what’s that?” 

His eyes lowered, “Kiss me”. 

My stomach fluttered as I stood on my tippy toes to kiss his cheek but, before I could react, he cupped my face in his hands and locked his lips on mine.  His mouth was warm and soft as he massaged my lips with passion and desire.  He worshipped my tongue with his own as his fingers coiled in my hair, sending a tingle through my body.  I’d never done anything crazy like bungee jumping or skydiving but I imagined this was what falling must feel like; the euphoria and bliss mixed with a little bit of danger.   Just as reached behind his back to bring his body closer to mine, he pulled away looking at me through dark, hooded eyes. I could feel his warm breath on my face but my body felt cold and my knees were weak; I needed the connection back.   I wanted to kiss him again but he stopped me by placing his finger on my lips.   “You better get dressed,” he whispered, rubbing his thumb over my lips.  He kissed me softly one more time before he left my room without saying another word.

I stood there motionless for several minutes, rubbing my fingers over my lips.  Every time he kissed me it was better than the last.  Is it possible for every kiss to be the best kiss?  It was when your boyfriend was Dane Wright.  I turned to grab my clothes from the bed and dressed quickly.  I was going to walk to class as Dane Wright’s girlfriend; someone may need to pinch me.

Plastic Hearts Teaser #3

We took the short drive in silence.  I was content to steal occasional glances at him and breathe in his familiar smell.  Every time I stole a peak at him, he had an incredibly sexy smirk on his face.  I wasn’t sure if I was the cause of that smirk but I sure hoped so.

I pulled up in front of his building and a put my car in park, leaving the engine running.  “Do you want to come upstairs?”  He had a hopeful look on his face and I hated to wipe it off but I had homework to do and I wasn’t quite ready to be back in his apartment alone.

“I should really get back.  I have a paper to finish and it’s getting kind of late.”  I sent him a soft smile, which he returned.  I have never felt so much emotion from one smile.  There was something so genuine and warm about it and I tried to capture it in my mind to hold for later.

“I understand.”  He reached over and cupped my cheeks in his hands, planting a light kiss on my lips. “See you in class tomorrow, Baby”.

“I thought I was Gorgeous.”

“You are gorgeous, baby.” 

He rubbed his thumb over my lower lip and I couldn’t help but kiss it.  “I kind of like the sound of that,” I whispered, leaning into his hand.

“Goodnight, Baby.”

“Goodnight.”  He kissed me one more time before getting out of the car and disappearing into his building.

At this moment, I felt like everything was right in the world.  I felt something I had never felt before and if this was what following my heart felt like, I may never get back up again.

Plastic Hearts Teaser #2

There was no guarantee that he was going to show up but I was hopeful that he would.  A man took my coat as I entered the packed gallery.  I took a quick look around and when I didn’t see him, I started looking at various sculptures, large paintings in vibrant colors and collages of items that would be junk to some people but put together in the gallery were absolutely beautiful. 

I turned a corner and standing right in front of me talking to an older couple was Dane.  He wore black dress pants with a grey sweater that fits snug around his arms and chest.  I liked this Dane but have to admit I missed the leather jacket.  I imagined the way it smelt and how it felt to hold him with it on.  The other night I was stupid to think I could just walk away from this.  He saw me and stopped talking for a second before he returned his attention back to the couple.  I felt rejected but not enough to give up so easily.  I looked at the metal sculptures that are arranged behind him and discovered that the artist was Dane Wright.

They were of couples, one was dancing, one was hugging, one appeared to be sitting on a bench and one was holding hands.  They were so simple yet beautiful.  I knew he was talented but I had no idea he could do this.

“Does my work live up to your expectations?” he asked, startling me. He stood so close to me that I could feel his breath on the back of my neck.  I smelt his cologne and it intoxicated me.

I turned around, leaving us separated by only inches. “They’re beautiful,” I whispered.

“Really?”  His voice was controlled but there was a hint of sarcasm.  I didn’t say anything; I deserved his tone.

“Really.”  I took a deep breath and said what I came to say.  “Look, Dane, I’m really sorry for what happened the other night.  I had a great time with you and I let my head get in the way.”

He moved his head a little closer to mine and the way he looked at me, I was sure he was going to tell me to go away. In fact, that was what I expected to hear when I came here.  And then, before I could process what happened, his lips were on mine.  At first, I didn’t react but then my body took over as I wrapped one hand behind his neck, tasting the mint on his lips and savoring the soft feel of his mouth; the connection made me pull him closer until there was absolutely no space between us.  As his tongue begged for entrance, I granted it.  We stood there for what seemed like forever, like there was no one else in the room.  His kiss was soft yet passionate and at that very moment, I knew it was the first meaningful kiss I have ever had. I needed him and I was his if he’d have me.

He broke away, putting his forehead to mine.  His eyes were hooded and I wanted nothing more than to have those lips back on mine.  I felt naked and vulnerable as I waited for him to say something. “We can’t be friends,” he finally said as he closed his eyes. 

Plastic Hearts Teaser #1

I wasn’t looking forward to seeing Dane when Monday rolled around. Okay, maybe there was a small part of me that was looking forward to seeing him. He was the only person I had ever met that could excite me and frustrate me at the same time. I arrived before he did and waited for him to make his grand entrance. With Dane, everything was a grand entrance.

When he walked in wearing faded jeans that sat low on his hips and a charcoal grey Henley my mouth may have dropped open just a little bit. His eyes met mine and he smiled, showing me his signature dimple. “Good morning, I thought you should know that it kind of sucked not waking up with you in my bed this morning.” Did he really just say that to me? I looked around to make sure no one else heard him. I didn’t need the rumor mill kicked into high gear.

“Well, you are going to have many sucky mornings then,” I said, smirking as I pulled a notebook out of my bag.

“No Gorgeous, I think you’re wrong. I think my luck is about to change.” He winked, he seriously just winked at me and I felt the elusive butterflies fluttering in my stomach. The thought of spending more time with him excited me but it couldn’t happen. I wasn’t a fan of trying something when I knew it was destined to fail.

“Do you ever leave your arrogance at home or does it follow you wherever you go?” He laughed before leaning in so we were only inches apart. 

“This isn’t arrogance, I’m just honest and soon enough you’ll be honest with yourself and admit that you want me as much as I want you.” Did he just say he wants me? My cheeks had to be fire engine red at this point and I hoped he didn’t notice.

“You’re not my type,” I muttered, looking up but avoiding his eyes. He ran his hand through his short hair as he studied me with his intense eyes.

“Okay, why don’t you give me a chance before you draw any conclusions. Go out with me on Thursday night. There’s a DJ playing at the club that I’ve heard is really good and we already know that we move pretty well together,” he said, as he sat back in his chair, studying me intently. If he looked at me like that for too long, I was going to lose my resolve. I never understood how some guys got girls in their beds so quickly but if I was most other girls, that probably where I would be right now.

“Not going to happen.” I moved my eyes to my desk, tracing the faux wood marks with my finger before looking back up.

“Just one date and if you don’t have a good time, we don’t have to go out again but give me one night.”  I made the mistake of looking into his eyes then; they were pleading with me to say yes and I couldn’t look away this time.