I'm so happy to have one of my favorite authors and good friend here with me today, Ella Jade. Her NEW release Passion's Pain is one you won't want to miss!
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My
Little Engine that Could by Ella Jade
Thanks so much for having me here to celebrate the
release of my contemporary romance
Passion’s
Pain.
The idea for Passion’s Pain has been with me for a
few years, but it was one of those books that I kept putting on the back
burner. The characters spoke prominently to me, but I just didn’t think I could
pull this one off. I’m really glad I changed my mind.
Passion’s Pain is an unconventional romance and I’ve
created a triangle you don’t see often. As a matter of fact, when I began to
pitch the story, I was told it wouldn’t work. One publisher went as far as to
contract it, acquisitions loved the plot, but when it got to edits, the editor
said it wasn’t mainstream enough and romance readers weren’t going to take to it.
They asked me to cut my 72k novel into a 35k novella. Needless to say, I asked
for my rights back. I didn’t begrudge the publisher for their opinion, but
something inside me couldn’t abandon this story. I put the book aside, feeling
discouraged and worked on other projects. My novel was always on my mind, so I
decided to sub it out again. And, the rest is history.
Passion’s Pain is a love story at the core, but it’s
also a journey of a young woman who falls on some hard times. Often when we’re
young, we make mistakes especially when it comes to love. Lilli, my heroine,
hits a rough patch, but when she meets Jackson, an intriguing, older stranger,
she’s mislead into believing he’s the answer to her problems. When she moves
into his house, she realizes he isn’t what he seems. Lilli tries to make the
best of it, hoping Jackson is the man she needs him to be. Things get
complicated when Jackson’s son Cameron expresses interest in Lilli. The two
went to high school together and each had a secret crush on the other. Lilli
would never betray Jackson. Cameron tries to fight his feelings for Lilli, but
when things are meant to be sometimes it can’t be helped. Lilli has to come to
terms with her decisions and decide which path to choose.
As you can see, my romance is a bit different than
what you may be used to, but there is a strong love story throughout. I hope
that you enjoy my characters as much as I loved created them. Even Jackson, my
villain, holds a special place in my heart. You’ll see why if you read Passion’s
Pain.
Blurb
Lilli Daniels has been down on her luck for quite some time. She's
been homeless, hungry and alone for far too long. When an intriguing, older
stranger enters the strip club where she's waitressing her life takes on a new
direction.
Successful attorney Jackson Avis maintains complete control of
every aspect in his life. When he lays eyes on the beautiful, young Lilli he's
captivated and has to have her. He tempts her with a life of privilege and
security. He introduces her to a world she never knew existed. Complications
arise when Jackson's son and aspiring doctor Cameron expresses an interest in
his father's girlfriend.
Lilli fights the attraction, but Cameron wants to give into his
heart's desire. He's the complete opposite of his controlling, manipulative
father and will stop at nothing to protect the woman he's falling in love with.
Sometimes life leads you down one path only to bring you to your
true destiny. Can Lilli come to terms and figure out exactly who her heart
belongs to?
Excerpt
Lilli glanced down at the floor for a few seconds before
looking up and giving Jack a small smile.
Her long black hair fell down the
center of her back and curled slightly at the ends. Her eyes were a most
alluring color. Jack couldn’t tell for sure in the dim lighting, but they
almost appeared violet. He’d never encountered such a unique woman before. He
knew right away a girl like her didn’t belong in a shit-hole like this.
“What would you like?” She looked down at the pad she held
and waited for his order.
“For you to have a seat.” He got up, pulled the chair out,
and then motioned for her to sit.
“What? No, I can’t. I’m working.”
Jack looked around and noted it wasn’t that busy.
“I think you can sit for a few minutes.” He smiled. “Pat
said you should give me what I want.”
“I-I don’t do that.” She shook her head. "Some of the
other girls here do, but not me."
“I’m only asking you to sit and I rarely ask twice.” He
felt a sense of relief knowing she didn't prostitute herself to the customers
in this disgusting place. “Please.”
“Just for a few minutes.” She looked around the bar and
then quickly took a seat.
“It’s nice to meet you, Lilli,” he said. “Do you have a
last name?”
“I do.” She was too busy looking into his eyes that he
thought maybe she forgot to finish answering.
Jack smiled and cleared his throat when he realized she
was staring at him.
“Oh, it’s Daniels.”
“I see. What do you do besides work here, Lilli Daniels?”
“I work at the bookstore over at the community college,”
she said. “I’m hoping to save enough money to take a few classes there in the
fall.”
“It’s only January,” Jack said. “Why wait so long?”
“Classes are expensive.” She nervously fidgeted with the
cocktail napkin sitting on the table. “So, what do you do?”
“I’m an attorney. I have my own practice in the city.”
“Oh, that sounds interesting. I’d like to study law
someday, too.”
“A pretty ambitious goal.” He teased. “How old are you?”
“Twenty-two.”
Well, at least she's
legal. But, for a girl working in a strip club trying to save money for
school, she seemed awfully naïve. He briefly wondered if it was an act to get
men to feel sorry for her. Maybe she knew exactly how to get a bigger tip out
of her customers.
“Getting a bit of a late start with school, aren’t you?”
Jack asked. “My son is about your age and he's in medical school.”
“My father’s not an attorney.” She ran her fingers through
her hair and Jack immediately recognized she was uncomfortable when she
mentioned her father. The lawyer in him needed to investigate a little further.
“What does your father do?”
“Are you ready to order?” she said. “I should be getting
back to work.”
“Not just yet.” He wondered why she changed the subject so
quickly. “I’m curious as to what a girl like you is doing in a place like
this.”
“Me, too.” She looked around the dark room. “I fell on
some hard times and I’m just trying to get my life back together. It’s honest
work.”
“What kind of hard times?” He was trying not to
interrogate her, but he wanted to know more about her.
“I can tell you’re a lawyer.” Her full pink lips curved
into a smile. Jackson wondered what it would feel like to have her mouth
against his. She was probably soft and warm.
“It’s in my nature to ask questions.” He wanted to know
more about this beauty.
“Do you always get your answers?”
“I always get everything I want.” He let his eyes wander
down her body. She was flawless, but he shouldn't have been entertaining any
possibilities at all. But then again, when did he ever let anything stop him
from getting what he wanted?
Jack reached into his pocket, pulled out his business
card, and handed it to her. He couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. “I have to
get back to the office now, but I’ve rather enjoyed your company. If Pat gives
you a hard time, please give me a call. I’ll set him straight.” He knew he
should leave her alone. He wasn't sure he’d be interested in getting involved
with a girl in her situation, but he wasn’t ready to walk away. Not yet.
She glanced down at the card. “I went to high school with
a Cameron Avis.”
“Did you date?” That would be far too amusing.
“Oh, God no.” She laughed. “He was a year older than me,
popular, and would never give a girl like me a second glance. I was from the
wrong side of the tracks.” She rolled her eyes.
“Hmm.” Jack began to get a clearer picture of who Lilli
was.
“I was shy and kept to myself,” she said. “He was
gorgeous, smart, and came from money.
Definitely not my type."
“Really?” Jack grinned as he got up from the table. “It
seems to me I’ll have to have a talk with my son about not recognizing a good
thing when he sees it.”
“Oh.”
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About Ella…
Ella Jade has been writing for as long as she can remember. As a child, she often had a notebook and pen with her, and now as an adult, the laptop is never far. The plots and dialogue have always played out in her head, but she never knew what to do with them. That all changed when she discovered the eBook industry. She started penning novels at a rapid pace and now she can't be stopped.
Ella Jade has been writing for as long as she can remember. As a child, she often had a notebook and pen with her, and now as an adult, the laptop is never far. The plots and dialogue have always played out in her head, but she never knew what to do with them. That all changed when she discovered the eBook industry. She started penning novels at a rapid pace and now she can't be stopped.
Ella resides in New Jersey with her husband and two young boys. When she's not chasing after her kids, she's busy writing, attending PTO meetings, kickboxing, and scrapbooking. She hopes you'll get lost in her words.
I love connecting with readers. You can find me here…
Great stuff, Ella! And bravo for taking on a story that might have been hard for others to tell. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rosanna! The story wouldn't leave me so I went with it and I'm glad I did:)
DeleteI agree, Congrats for writing a story not many others would be able to. I can't wait to read it!
ReplyDelete