Title: Four Letters
Author: Lisa M. Hurley
Publication Date: September 26th 2013
In Four Letters you’ll learn all about three couples...
Sterling and Skye
Skye is a spoiled little rich girl, who has never had to do more than bat her eyelashes at her father to get whatever she wanted. When she received her degree, her plan was to open an art gallery catering to the uber rich. The last thing she needed was a man getting in her way. But, there’s just something about Sterling. He’s an alpha male that gives her what she’s always craved, the ability to let someone else take control. Could Sterling be the man Skye needs to help her relinquish control and change her spoiled ways?
Asher and Lilly
When Lilly was a small child, her parents were killed in a fire. Since the loss of her parents, she’s never truly felt loved or safe. Now that Lilly’s dream of becoming a teacher has come true, she worries that her dream of finding Mr. Right might not. That all changes the day that Asher literally runs into her in the park. Could Asher be the man to make Lilly feel safe and give her the happily ever after she’s always dreamed of?
Tanner and Adlee
To say that Adlee had a rough childhood would be quite the understatement. When she was barely ten years old, her mother killed herself, leaving Adlee in the care of her stepfather, Paul. Paul was not a nice man. When Tanner walked into the café she was working at and witnessed the way Paul treated her, he knew he had to step in. Could Tanner be the man to prove to Adlee that she is worthy of love and help her regain her self respect?
Read Four Letters to see how all of these lives are intertwined...
This soiree was turning out like so many before it - scratch my fingernails down a chalkboard boring. Just another night for me to schmooze with my father’s friends. Well they were not really friends, more like acquaintances and business contacts. Speaking of which, an older man with white hair that was styled in a rather delectable - gag me - comb over, an unimpressive fake tan, and an impressive real Rolex was trying his damnedest to flirt with me. Much to his dismay, all he was succeeding in doing was making my skin crawl. The thought of this man laying his hands on me in an intimate, or any other, way completely disgusted me. Nonetheless I listened to him and smiled and nodded at all the appropriate times. To the unknowing observer it probably looked like I had some interest in what he was saying. In reality that couldn’t have been any farther from the truth.
As I was listening to this old man pontificate on issues I had absolutely no interest in, something caught my eye. Actually, someone caught my eye. He was tall and lean wearing a black tuxedo with a silver vest and bow tie. His dark hair was slicked back and perfectly styled, glistening under the candlelight. The eyes are what made my head snap in his direction. I’d never seen eyes that blue. They were so intense and …oh my god…they were absolutely breathtaking. Even through his tux I could tell that he was rather muscular. It was hugging him in all the right places.
Once my thorough inspection of this mystery man was complete, I noticed he was standing at the bar conversing with some Botox laden fake Barbie who was pulling out every weapon in her arsenal to get his attention. Then it happened. Ever so slowly his eyes found mine and it took everything in me to catch my breath. The beautiful mystery man stopped talking to the aforementioned Barbie and after shooting me a smile that would bring Mother Teresa to her knees, he started to slowly saunter toward me. Yes, the man was sauntering and what a fucking sexy saunter it was. With the corner of his mouth still raised up in a small grin, he nodded his head in my direction. I raised an eyebrow and gave him a small smile back.
As he continued to cross the room toward me, my heart skipped a beat. He wasn’t beautiful, no he was so much more than that. If I had to label it I would say he was exquisite. At that moment I decided something - I wanted this man and I was going to have him. When Skye Buchanan wants something - she gets it. The decision had been made, before the night was over Mr. Exquisite would be taking up residence in my nice warm bed.
Before he could get to me, I politely excused myself from the creeper and closed the distance between Mr. Exquisite and myself. When he reached out and placed his hand on my elbow a shiver traveled throughout my entire body. Looking into his eyes I could tell he felt it too. When he finally spoke his voice was a deep panty-melting baritone.
“Do I know you from somewhere?” he asked with a cocky grin.
This was going to be fun. I needed to play with him a little before I took over. “Really? Is that the best you can do?” I smirked.
“Oh, no, I can do better,” he responded coyly.
“Well, who am I to stifle your creativity? Please, by all means continue.”
“Of course. So, did it hurt?” he asked with a raise of his eyebrow.
“Did what hurt?”
“Did it hurt when you fell from heaven?” he chuckled and removing his hand from its firm grip on my elbow, he placed it in front of me to shake.
“That was so amazingly cheesy,” I responded as I placed my hand in his and shook it lightly.
“Yes. It really was, uh…?”
“Uh, what?”
“Well, I just realized here I am using my best pick-up lines on you and I don’t even know your name. I really think it would be in your best interest to share that information with me.”
“Really? My best interest, huh? I’m not so sure about that, Mr. Uh…”
“See, it’s annoying isn’t it?” he laughed. “Maybe if you went over to the bar with me we could have a drink and you would be more inclined to share your name with me.” He was still grasping my hand in his.
When his gaze caught mine again, I could see that he was feeling the same things I was. I knew at that moment there was just something about this guy. Something that said I needed to have him.
“I would love to have a drink with you,” I finally responded once I caught my breath. Then I added as I leaned in and whispered in his ear, “I’ll have a drink with you and hopefully we’ll be sharing a lot more than names by the end of the night.”
His grip on my hand tightened and when I pulled back from him I could see the lust sparkling in his baby blues. Yes, this evening was going to end just the way I wanted it to.
We walked to the bar, holding hands the entire way. I caught a glimpse of my father. He was standing in the corner talking to one of his associates, and he smiled at me when he saw that I was with my mystery man. With a slight nod of approval from my father, I continued on my path with Mr. Exquisite.
“So, what would you like to drink Miss…uh…Miss?” he asked with a smile.
“I don’t think we are to that point yet, sir. I don’t even have my drink yet. I can’t show you all my cards this early in the game now, can I?” I let go of his hand and leaned into the bar. I was pressing my side into it and when I did that my cleavage was rather impressively on display.
He leaned in and whispered in my ear. “I didn’t realize this was a game. But now that I do, I’m intrigued.” He placed a light kiss below my ear. As he pulled away from me I could once again see the lust shining in those amazing blue eyes.
“Isn’t life just a big game? I mean aren’t we all just trying to win at this crazy game of life?”
“And I’m the cheesy one? Wow. That statement was chock full of the cheese,” he laughed.
“Okay, fine. It was a little cheesy. I’m not used to this small talk thing.”
“You aren’t? What do you normally do to get to know someone?” he asked with a quizzical look on his face.
“Well, normally I start with…” I leaned toward him and whispered, “Fucking. That usually tells me everything I need to know about someone.”
I watched his adam’s apple jump as he swallowed hard.
Looking down at me through his long dark eyelashes he groaned, “That was unexpected.”
The book was divided into 5 parts including the epilogue and each part details a love story.
PART 1: Skye Buchanan and Sterling Smith
Sky Buchanan is a socialite who grew up in a privilege family and has a way of getting what she wants. She may have been lucky to be born with a silver spoon but she sure as hell got cursed in terms of her parents. Her mother us a sweet person who married someone who cares more about his investments than his wife. Then she meets Sterling Smith whom she never thought would make her change her perception of love. He made her believe in love, in happily ever after. What started out as a hook up soon became a perfect match that led to marriage. But just like any other couples who fell in love, some aren’t lucky to maintain a connection. All the constant communication vanished. Then one day, Sterling just disappeared and left her a letter explaining what he has done.
PART 2: Lilly Kingsley and Asher Brown
Lilly is a teacher who really wanted to have a family of her own. Since Mr. Right has taken a detour and they still hadn't meet, she’s contented on having to concentrate on her pupils. Just when she was ready to accept that she may not have her own happy-ever-after, the gorgeous runner whom she always watches in the park, suddenly approaches her and asks her for a date. It turned out that Asher Brown was also eyeing her from a distance. Their relationship progressed really fast until they had their own family but due to Asher’s job as a pharmaceutical sales man. It required him to be gone a lot because of travelling. But her Mr. Right slowly turned into Mr. Always-Gone. Until one day, he completely disappeared and left her a letter explaining what he had done.
PART 3: Adlee and Tanner Jones
Adlee grew up in an abnormal family environment. What she thought as a blessing in the form of a stepfather turned out to b a monster. She was so used to doing what she was asked to do that she doesn't have a choice but to accept what she’s been handed. Until, her knight in shining armor came barreling towards her when her supposed-to-be boyfriend assaulted her after she walked to him. That day changed her life forever and for that she’s forever indebted to him. He helped her get back to her old self, setting her up for an appointment to see a psychologist and rebuilding her life until one day h realized that he’s also falling for her. They've developed an intact relationship despite that fact that Tanner Jones spends a lot of time working out-of-town. But then, one day, a person who belonged to Adlee’s past started bothering her again and Tanner made a decision.
PART 4: The Truth
This part will introduce Daniel Ryder and Becca. They were best friends and have been each other’s rock ever since. How they entered the picture? It’s for you to find out and if you have read this book, I’m pretty sure you have realized who they are. How are all the characters interconnected? Do they have relationships? What’s really the truth? Is it something shocking?
The PLOT. It’s really unique and as a reader, I really don’t know how it will turn in the end. Yeah I’ve had some realizations in Part 4, but Part 5 messed up my head. Who’s going to end up with whom in the end? Will all the characters have a happy-ever-after? Or will all of them end up miserable? Or will at least one of them end up happy and contented?
I grew up in a really small town in Missouri. Very similar to the fictional towns I write about. I moved to the big city right after I graduated. I work full-time and I am mom to a beautiful little girl.
I started writing in October 2012 when a group I am a member of had a prologue contest. I didn't win the contest, but everyone who read my prologue asked for more of my story. I decided I had to finish it and get these characters that were in my head out on paper. During the writing process it became clear that these characters had a lot to say. So I realized my story was really a series:
The Destined Series
Destined to Change (Available Now)
Destined to Succeed (Available Now)
Destined to Forgive (Coming Fall 2013)
Destined to Rock (Coming Winter 2013)
Destined to Overcome (Coming Early 2014)
I am a really boring person, so this bio is super short! This is really about all there is to know about me. Sad, isn’t it. lol
I love music and honestly couldn't write without my Spotify playlist. I am kinda obsessed with frogs (not real ones) and office supplies are my downfall! I could spend my whole paycheck at the stationery store...boring, didn't I already say that? lol
Also, I am slightly addicted to Facebook and Voxer. Please message me on either one...I would love to hear from ya’ll.
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