PROLOGUE - Never Been Ready

From JL Berg's post.

PROLOGUE - Never Been Ready

I remember the shattering glass most of all.  The sound still echoes through my head to this day.  It was deafening to my child-sized eardrums, and I awoke quickly, covering my ears to try to mute the piercing sound.

The shrill voices came next.  Heated, angry words were shouted outside my frilly pink bedroom that my mother and I had decorated from things we'd found at Goodwill.  I was used to the shouting.  My parents lived to fight.  I spent a good part of my early childhood hidden behind the walls of that room.  I'd play with my Barbies and dream of a normal family.  Barbie would bake apple pie and sing Etta James in the kitchen, and Ken would take her out dancing. He would never raise his voice...or his hand.  When I awoke that night though, it felt different...scarier.  Even at seven, I knew something major was about to happen, and my world would never be the same.

Angry stomping passed my door, followed by hysterical cries and pleading words.  Someone rushed down the hall, stopping briefly by my door, and then I heard the front door slam.  Jumping out of my bed, I peeked my head out the door in the direction of our small living room.  It was empty, and dark.  The glass coffee table was in shards, and pieces were scattered all over the shaggy brown carpet.  The dark shadows of the room seemed to be closing in on me from all angles.  With the curiosity of a young child getting the best of me, I pressed on and walked farther into the room.  No one was to be seen anywhere, and my exploration proved fruitless.  Not knowing what else to do or where else to go, I picked a spot in the corner, curled myself into a ball, and started to count the glittery pieces of glass.

"What the hell are you doing out of bed?" my father asked when he found me some time later.  My count had reached the hundreds by then, and my feet were ice cold from the lack of heat in the house.  I looked up at the man I both loved and feared.  Both of his hands were wrapped in bloody bandages and his clothes looked askew and out of place.  I remember wondering if he had a hard time getting dressed with those bandages on his hands and that’s why he looked so funny.  I reminded myself to help Daddy button his shirt the next day.  Children have such innocent minds.

"I couldn't sleep," I answered quietly, "Where's Mommy?"

"She's gone.  For good."

Copyright J.L. Berg 2014

Never Been Ready

Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Well, wow! This is such an amazing read that I finished it up in one night. Oh how I wish for more!

This is Declan and Leah's story. It started as a one time thing but it's the start of their forever...

It was a sweet, hot and fun story. You can tell from the beginning that they clicked. Their chemistry was not forced and their story naturally progressed.Their story didn't make me cry (unlike the first book) but it sure made me laugh!

LEAH

I am 100% happy that Leah was not a whiny, annoying, i-wish-never-to-read-again kind of heroine. She was funny, smart and (from the mental image i have of her) she's hot!

DECLAN

Okay, I have a thing for those Hollywood, reformed bad boy type. And Declan definitely fit the bill. He was crazy about Leah but in an endearing way.

I hope to read more from the Ready series and I wish I'm right with my haunch who the next story will be. *cross fingers*

Again, thank you Jennifer in allowing me to read and review your work. I had a blast reading it!

<b>Would I recommend this book? 101% YES!</b>

Never Been Ready Teaser

Never Been Ready

04 Feb 2014

Never Been Ready – Teaser #3

Coming Feb. 4th!!!

Never Been Ready - Teaser #3

After walking from the kitchen to my living room, I snuggled down onto my comfy brown suede sofa, grabbed my favorite furry red fleece blanket and sighed in happiness.  Who needed to date?  This was perfect--Ice cream, fuzzy slippers and perfect men on film who didn't expect anything in return.  Perfect.

Just as I hit Play on the Blu-ray player to watch Dirty Dancing for the four hundredth time, my doorbell rang.  Confusion hit me as I looked at the clock.  It was ten at night.

Who was ringing my doorbell at such a late hour?  And since when did ten at night become so late?  Damn, I was boring.    

Who the hell could that be?  I briefly hoped it was my hot new neighbor from three doors down needing to borrow a cup of sugar, but knowing my luck, it would probably be a punk-ass kid playing Ding-Dong ditch.

I threw off the blanket, and with the ice cream still in hand, I stormed to the door, slightly annoyed that I wasn't beginning my cha-cha lessons with Patrick Swayze at that moment.

I opened the front door, and froze.

Holy fucking hell.

Declan James.  On my porch.  Looking sexy as hell.

And I was...in a bathrobe and fuzzy slippers.  Shit!

His hazel green eyes ran down my body, scanning my attire, lingering on my legs peeking through the parting of my robe, before stopping at my hand.

"Do you always eat ice cream in a coffee mug?" He leisurely leaned against my door frame.

He was sporting a cocky smile that had my hormones going haywire.

"What?  Yes, the handle keeps my hand from getting cold," I blurted out.

Oh my God, why was he here?  At my house.  And holy hell, why did he have to smell so good?

"What the hell are you doing here?" I finally asked.

His eyes found mine, and he smirked.  He was clearly amused.  God, six months hadn't made him any less sexy.  His wavy brown hair was pushed back, making his piercing hazel eyes stand out against his handsome face.  Unshaven, and wearing a leather jacket, he was the epitome of a bad boy.

Every part of me wanted to take him for a ride--again.

Oh God, my greatest weakness had come for a visit.

"My film got the green light, so I'm in town for the next three months or so.  Thought I'd stop by and pay you a visit," he answered.

He brushed past me, entering the house like he'd just been invited in, which he hadn't.

My lust filled haze cleared a bit, and it was replaced with a bit of annoyance.

Who the hell did this guy think he was?

"So, you got into town, and you thought you'd pay me a visit?  Why?  To say hello?  Needed a friendly chat Declan?" I asked, clearly peeved.

I'd had an emotional day.

He sat himself on my sofa, draping his arms over the back like he owned the fucking place as he grinned at me.  He was too big for the room.  My living room was literally being swallowed up by his presence.

"No, I think you know exactly why I'm here Leah," he said, he voice deepening.

His eyes darkened, sending shivers down my spine and straight to my core.  All traces of playfulness disappeared.  This was the Declan I remembered--the predator, the great seducer.

The man who had taken me again and again all night, sending me over the edge more times than I could count.  His hands had touched every inch of my skin.  His mouth had kissed every intimate part of my body.  No man had ever filled me so completely and owned me as he had.

And here he was, like an offering from the gods.

"No," I whispered.

"No?  Are you seeing someone?" he asked, suddenly jumping off the couch and stalking toward me.

"No, I'm not seeing anyone."

His movements slowed, and he visibly relaxed.  He continued his journey toward me, but it changed from an angry stalk to a casual swagger.  I watched him, loving the confidence in his gait and the determination in his eyes, knowing it was all focused on me.

"Then I don't see a problem here, Leah," he whispered in my ear as he pressed his firm body against mine.  "We were good together.  Don't you remember?"

Brushing back the golden strands off my neck, he slowly pushed the bathrobe off my shoulder, taking my tank top strap with it.  Undoing the belt of my robe with his other hand, he let it fall to the floor in a heap, leaving me in my tank top and tight pajama shorts.  His eyes took an appreciative gaze over my exposed flesh, causing my nipples to harden instantly.  He smiled, knowing the effect his touch was having on me.

Leaning forward, Declan grazed his lips over my bare shoulder, making me shudder from the touch.

"I can remind you, one more time.  Don't you want that?"

I heard the words, and tried to process them in the foggy mush that was my brain.  One more time.  He'd just arrived.  He wasn't here because he needed me, or wanted me as much as much as I wanted him.  I was his fucking booty call, an easy lay for someone who had just gotten into town.

Anger flooded my system, and I pushed him away.  I'd had a long day and this was just the icing on the cake.  A movie star coming by for a quick fuck.  Perfect.

"Get out."

He looked confused, but then his trademark smile came back.  I could tell he was ready to throw out more bullshit that I wouldn't fall for again.

"No, seriously, get out.  I'm not your booty call, Declan.  I'm not going to spread my legs just because you showed up at my doorstep.  Just because you're in town for three months doesn't mean I suddenly have an open-door policy.  I am not your fucking groupie."

Momentarily stunned, he looked around the room until he saw a pen and a notepad resting on the coffee table.  He stalked over to the small table, grabbed the pen and angrily scribbled something before ripping the sheet of paper off the notepad and handing it to me.

"This is where I'm staying in town and the name my room is booked under."

Rejection must be a new thing for Declan because he looked conflicted, pissed and seriously sexy.  With his eyes wild and intense, he took a deep breath as he ran his hands through that unruly hair.  Suddenly, he grabbed me around the waist, and took my mouth in a fierce kiss.  Surprise, lust, anger, and confusion all invaded my system and I both pulled him closer and tried to push him away.  His taste was exactly the same--completely addictive.  Instincts had me diving in, needing him like my next breath, but the logical side of me that had been hurt too many times needed him to leave.

Before I could make a decision, he abruptly pushed away looking smug.

"Call me if you change your mind," he said before walking out the door, letting it close with a soft click behind him.

Making my way to the door, I let my head fall forward until it hit the hard wood with a thump, echoing my mood.  "Fuck!" I cursed out in frustration.

"Heard that!" Declan yelled from the other side of the door, as his loud laughter faded away.

Bastard.

At least he didn't see my hand shake as I locked to the door.  I could never let that man know how much he affected me.  It would be my undoing.

Never Been Ready Cover Reveal!!!

Release: 04 February 2014

Leah Morgan was done with men. After barely surviving a horrendous childhood, and a boyfriend who bailed when things got rough, Leah had given up on love. Then she met him, Hollywood’s new golden boy who suddenly had eyes only for her. She tried to convince herself that one night couldn’t hurt, but after six months, the memories of his mesmerizing gaze and searing touch still invaded her every thought.

Declan James had just one rule when it came to women. Keep it simple, and never linger. That all changed the moment he met Leah. Even across a crowded bar, he could tell she was different. Sweet, with just the right amount of sass, she made him break his golden rule and now he couldn’t walk away.

When casual becomes anything but, and emotions run deep, will Leah and Declan fight their fears, or let old insecurities tear them apart? When Declan’s past comes roaring back in a way neither of them could have expected, will they stand united or be torn apart by the challenges that lie ahead?

It was only supposed to be one night, but only forever will do. 

Never Been Ready – Teaser #2

From JL Berg's post.

Never Been Ready – Teaser #2

The little girl that Leah had never gotten to be wanted a real Christmas with a real tree and a decorated house, and she’d asked me to bring her here–not Clare, not Garrett. Me.

Two months ago, I would have run away, feeling overwhelmed with responsibility I wasn’t ready to handle. Now, I wanted nothing more than to buy out the entire Christmas section in every major department store and deliver it to her house, so we could decorate every square inch to make up for each minute of her lost youth.

I hadn’t always had the greatest childhood. My dad was a dick, and my mom was a bit of a pushover, but they had given me a childhood. They loved me as best as they could, and I knew they had done what they could to provide for me.

“That’s a mighty big ax you’ve got there, mister.” Leah grinned before moving past me to check out another row of trees.

The scent of blackberries and vanilla from her perfume filled my senses as she drifted past, leaving me dizzy, and I quickly followed.

“That it is, ma’am…and I know how to use it. I think.”

Leah turned, laughing at my confession. Hell, I had grown up with hired help and then moved to L.A. I didn’t think I’d ever touched a saw in my life.

“This one,” Leah said, stopping dead in her tracks.

Before her sat a perfectly shaped tree with dark green bristles and a straight round trunk. The man in the store had educated us on what to look for, and Leah had found one with all the checkmarks.

“How tall do you think it is?” she asked.

I walked up to it, comparing my six feet three inches against it. “Mmm…probably eight feet at the most. You’ve got ten feet high ceilings, so it will fit nicely.”

She stood there, staring up at her perfect tree, not saying a word.

I closed the distance between us and whispered in her ear, “Is this what you want?”

Her breath caught, before her eyes found mine. “Sorry. What?”

“Okay, now, it’s just getting too damn easy.” I laughed.

She hit me on the shoulder, which only caused me to laugh louder.

“Are you saying I’m easy?” she asked, feigning indignation.

“Well…” I started.

She huffed as she crossed her arms over her chest, which only distracted me.

“I’ll show you easy,” she warned before taking off into a full run down one of the tree rows.

“Shit!” I cursed. Laughing, I dropped the ax and took off after her.

The trees were tall, and it was essentially like being in a giant green maze. I could see her head bobbing up and down every once in a while when she would turn directions.

She might have been lighter, but I was quicker. I took a different turn, planning to cut her off. As she came around a corner, I caught her around the waist, making her squeal, as I lifted her off the ground.

“You have been a very naughty girl, Leah,” I said.

She squirmed and giggled in my arms. Letting her body slide down mine, she froze as our eyes found each other. Still panting from our run through the trees, I gripped the back of her head and crushed my mouth to hers. She instinctively wrapped her legs around me as we kissed.

Breaking our kiss, she asked, “So, what is my punishment? Coal in my stocking?”

“No. After we take that tree home tonight, you’re going to strip down naked and let me do whatever I want to you under it all night.”
****

Never Been Ready – Coming Feb. 4th
Copyright J.L Berg 2013

Never Been Ready – Teaser #1

From JL Ber's post.

Never Been Ready – Teaser #1

“So when exactly do I get my strip tease?” I asked.

“Well that’s up to you hot shot.”

“Hot shot?”

“Yep. Cocky attitude, arrogant disposition and sexy as fuck. It’s a good nickname.”

“Alright, so what are your terms Leah?” I fought back the urge to touch her. Stuffing my hands in my pockets, I paced the room in a vain attempt at keeping myself from just saying “fuck it” and pinning her against the wall before she could lay down any terms or requirements. Because whatever she was about to say, I was going to agree. She didn’t know it, but she had my balls in her hands and I was at her fucking mercy. I both hated and wanted her at the same time. She made me feel weak with need and out of control. But I couldn’t stop the pursuit. I couldn’t walk away.

“I will not be an easy fuck whenever you get too lazy to find a new bimbo for the evening. I will not allow you in my bed wondering where you’ve been and what kind of sloppy seconds I’m getting,” she declared, before saying the one thing I never wanted to hear.

“I want to be exclusive with you. For however long we decide to do this. I don’t care about labels, or dates. You don’t have to take me out to dinner, bring me flowers or buy me anniversary presents. The only thing I ask is that for the time we are together, you are mine.”

“Yes,” I answered immediately, surprising us both.

“Yes? That’s it? No counter offer? No freak out or temper tantrum Declan?”

“No Leah, no temper tantrum. Just one request,” I answered.

“And what’s that Hot Shot?”

“Make it two,” I amended. “First, the same rules apply to you. While we’re together, for however long, you’re mine Leah,” I purred against her ear. Her eyes widened and her breath picked up pace giving me a quick sense of satisfaction that I’d broken through her calm and collected exterior.

“And second?” she asked timidly.

“Don’t fucking call me Hot Shot.”

She visibly relaxed and snorted out a laugh before saying, “So not happening, Hot Shot.”

Never Been Ready
by J.L. Berg
February 1st 2014

Never Been Ready FB Teaser

Teaser from JL Berg's Facebook post.

Teaser #1

“Don’t kid when it comes to celebrities.”

“You know, I’m a celebrity,” I said smoothly.

“Yeah, but I’ve heard you pee, and now all the mystery and allure is gone,” she shrugged.

“You have not heard me pee!”

“Have too. You pee with the door open at night, and guy pee is really loud.”

“This conversation has taken a really weird turn.”

Teaser #2

“Come here,” he said softly. I came without hesitation, kneeling on the bed to meet him in the middle. His hand slipped slowly around my waist, and he bent down to kiss my collarbone, giving me chills.

“Turn around,” he whispered. I did as he asked, turning in his arms so my back pressed against his front. Both still on our knees, he positioned us on the bed so that we faced the floor length mirror that sat in the corner of my bedroom. His hands gripped me tighter against his body, and his fingers dug into my hip as his eyes found mine.

“Do you know what I see right now?” he whispered. Unable to speak, I just shook my head.

“Perfection. I see absolute perfection.”

Teaser #3

I flinched, knowing it was now time for me to leave. No good ever came from this argument, and I’d learned my lesson before. I folded up the grocery bags, and headed for the door. As I turned the handle, I took one last look at my father, seeing him hunched over the counter. His face was buried in his hands and he looked about twenty years older than his actual age. I’ve always wondered what life would have been like if he had just let her go. If he was able to man up and be the father I so desperately needed him to be. But he didn’t. And this was the life we both ended up with.

“Happy Thanksgiving Day, Dad,” I whispered, before quickly walking out the door and taking my first full breathe in minutes. I cried the entire way home.

When You're Ready (The Ready Series, #1)

FIVE AWESOME STARS!!!

Got an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was ecstatic when I opened my email and found an advance copy of this book. Again, thank you Jennifer!

"You're wrong, Clare. Nothing will ever keep me from you. I'll never stop chasing you."

I can honestly say this is the first book that I read that captured me from start to finish. I was with the characters all throughout. I was giddy when they first met, I was swept off with their first kiss, I was crying (and I'm not ashamed of it) during Ethan's death anniversary and I loved how they progressed with their first time together.

CLARE
Oh, Clare, how things turned sour then sweet then sour again then uber sweet with your life. I loved how she was able to move on and have her second chance at finding her HEA.

LOGAN
I wish there are more doctors like Logan! Smart, independent, alpha and H-O-T-T hot!!! Logan, you melted my panties... You're my first book boyfriend.

I cant wait for the second book of this series!

Would I recommend this book? Abso-fucking-lutely YES!