Read an excerpt from Hard to Hold by Arell Rivers
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Synopsis
Cheer for Rose Morgan—strong, determined and driven—a brilliant publicist who thought she had finally overcome her tragic past when, once again, her life is turned upside down. Rose and Cole’s passionate love story continues in this second full-length novel in The Hold Series.
Distraught by news of Cole’s unexpected marriage, Rose Morgan tries to pick up the pieces of her life, only to be confronted by Cole at every turn. With her PR career in serious jeopardy, Rose can’t escape his orbit and is forced to continue working on his account. Under snowballing pressure, she seeks solace from unlikely sources.
Reeling from the disastrous fallout after his drunken night in Las Vegas, rock star Cole Manchester is a tormented man. He reaches out to Rose, the one woman who has always fixed his mistakes, only to realize that he might have pushed her away forever. Now, he’ll do whatever it takes to get her back.
Rose and Cole each must face their deepest fears if their love is to survive. But Cole’s stalker is becoming increasingly unhinged … and dangerous. In the end, Rose and Cole must decide if some things are just too Hard to Hold.
Excerpt
… I grab my purse and yank the door open. Of course, one of my nails breaks in the effort, but I’m beyond caring. I just need to escape. I rush past the cubicles toward the elevator. I’m sure no one even noticed that I left, except maybe Kim, who probably feels triumphant.
A heavy hand lands on my arm, abruptly halting my progress toward the lobby and freedom. A deep male voice growls in my ear. “I said stop.”
When I look up, angry green eyes bore down into me. Cole glances around and pulls us into an unoccupied office.
“Rose.”
I reply through gritted teeth, “Cole.”
“We need to talk.”
“This isn’t the time or the place.”
“I don’t give a fuck.” He runs a hand through his hair. His eyes now register hurt and anger in equal measure. My defenses start to lower, so I work double-time to shore them back up. “Ro, this is killing me.”
“You don’t think it’s killing me, too?” Refusing to look back into his eyes, I feign a sudden fascination with my hand, rubbing my broken nail over my index finger. Polish has chipped off that nail, too.
“The photos. Mom. Us. It’s too much.”
“Kim can provide an objective eye. Let her help you.”
He takes hold of my shoulders. “Fuck, I can’t do that. Everything is so out of whack. I need you.”
Refusing to look at him, I close my eyes. Which only intensifies my awareness of him. The heat emanating from his body, the way his fingers tighten and loosen on my shoulders. His musky scent. I could step forward and be in his embrace. It would comfort both of us. But no, he has to go through those photos. I need him to focus on the task at hand.
“Can you please help me with the photos? Nothing more. I just. Can’t. Think.” His large frame shudders.
Julie was a wonderful woman. Those photographs show her love for him. I can’t let him go through this alone.
“Yes,” I whisper, surprising us both.
He wraps me in his embrace. Being surrounded by his arms is heaven. I inhale his intoxicating scent, allowing myself to enjoy being here, my face pressed against his chest, his chin on top of my head.
A few moments pass. I need to stop this. We’re not a couple anymore. The words “Mrs. Starr Manchester” flash before my closed eyes.
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About the Author
For as long as I can remember, I have been lost in a book. During my senior year in college, I picked up a Danielle Steel novel … and instantly was hooked on romance.
I started writing my first novel, No One to Hold, because the characters were screaming at me to do so. The story started coming out in my dreams and attacking me in the shower, so I took to the computer to shut them up. But they kept talking.
Born and raised in New Jersey, I have what some may call a “checkered past.” Prior to discovering my passion for writing romance, I practiced law, was a wedding and event planner and even dabbled in marketing. I live with a very supportive husband and two mischievous cats. When not in my writing cave, I can be found making dinner in the crock pot, working out with Shaun T or hitting the beach.
I hope you enjoy my stories about driven men, strong women and the passions that ignite!
