WARNING: Mature themes, strong language and sexual content. Recommended for adult readers (18+) only!

Derek Alexander is an ex-Marine, ex-cop, and the top investigator in his field. Melissa Jones is a small-town girl trying to escape her troubled past.

When the two intersect in a bar in Arizona, their sexual chemistry is off the charts. But what is revealed during their “one week stand” only complicates matters.

Because she’ll do everything in her power to get away from the past, but he’ll do everything he can to hold her.

We have an exciting excerpt from Tia’s upcoming release One to Keep!!

Excerpt from ONE TO KEEP

by Tia Louise

*unedited draft, subject to change*

expected release January 16, 2014

© 2013, Tia Louise

 ~Patrick + Elaine~

 We sat with our bodies touching, and we sat apart, her feet in my lap. But that never lasted long before we were back to bodies touching again. Finally, I looked around at the deserted patio and realized how late it was.

I could see she was tired, and I stood, holding out my hand to help her up. “I’ll walk you back to the spa.”

She nodded slowly and took my hand. We didn’t speak the entire way back, and stopping in front of the entrance, all I could think about were her lips and covering them with mine. I’d been thinking about it all night, but I wanted to take it slow. I wanted to handle this one differently—right for a change.

Stepping forward, I paused just before our mouths met, making sure. Her breath whispered over my cheek, and her eyes rose to mine. Then she smiled. In a flash she was in my arms, our bodies molded together, tongues lightly meeting for the first time. After all we’d shared, it felt inevitable, holding each other this way, the faint taste of peppermint in my mouth, heat rising below my waist.

It was only a kiss, but it was the most powerful exchange I’d had in months. Her body drew me in until my heart beat with hers, and my soul felt threaded to her very breath. My lips traveled to her jaw, to her cheek and then to her ear. She was amazing.

“Goodnight,” I whispered, holding her closer.

My words should have parted us, but I couldn’t let her go. Her arms held me tightly as well, and I knew this was different from anything I’d experienced before. All of this was tectonically different.

Forcing myself to release her, I stepped back. I couldn’t look in her eyes or I’d never do what I had to do right now.

“I hope I’ll see you tomorrow,” I said through the ache in my throat. I wanted her more than anything in that moment.

“I’ll call you,” she said quietly.

I turned away, and my heart, my soul, everything stayed behind as I took the first step and then the second back to the main hotel where I was staying. I’d only made it three feet when I heard her rushing up to me.

“Patrick?” Her voice was a desperate whisper, and I immediately stopped, turning back to face her.

She was gorgeous standing in the moonlight, the dry breeze pushing her silky hair off her shoulders. I wanted to cover those shoulders with kisses, wrap my fingers in that hair. She reached out, and I caught both her hands in mine.

“Yes?”

“I don’t want you to leave me,” she said, breathless. “I want to spend the night in your arms.”

Her delicate pink tongue touched her bottom lip, and she didn’t have to ask twice. Two steps was all it took to have her body secure against mine again. I caught her cheeks and lowered my mouth to cover her soft, beautiful lips…

One to Hold by Tia Louise was a great, fast paced, smoking hot read. I had heard a lot of buzz surrounding this book and it did not disappoint.  It was full of great characters, secrets, drama and smoking hot sex.  I loved how it kept me on my toes wondering what would happen next.  You know SOMETHING has happened but you just don’t know what.  I loved that element.  Melissa is a beautiful character.  She harbors a secret that I needed to know.  It was a secret that damaged her. Derek is HOT with all his alpha male yumminess.  But I had a feeling that deep down there was more to his story.  Derek and Melissa’s chemistry was off the charts!!  I had to step away and cool down on more than one occasion ;-) .  But I loved that the hot sex wasn’t the only story line, there was so much more!!  If you are looking for a fast paced quick read, look no further.  One to Hold has it all!!

3.5 ***

♥ Sophie

Tia Louise is a former journalist, world-traveler, and collector of beautiful men (who inspire ALL of her stories… *wink*)—turned wife, mommy, and novelist.

It’s possible she has a slight truffle addiction. And she will never look at a family restroom the same way again.

ONE TO HOLD is her debut adult romance.

ONE TO KEEP is a companion novel to one to hold, and scheduled for release Jan. 16, 2014.