Suzanne Smith’s The Brute and I was not what I expected. I thought I would get a Beauty and the Beast kind of story, I guess because of the title. What I didn’t expect was 
a tale of hope, forgiveness, love, and redemption, but that’s what I found. Well written and well developed, the story of Marco and Alex shows the way back for a love that lasts.
The Brute and I tackles three important issues in a sensitive way: relationship abuse, alcoholism, and the lack of self-esteem that can bring both on. That she talks about these things in a way that feels painless and yet engrosses the reader is a testament to her skill as a writer. I really enjoyed the book—it was every bit as surprising as it was good, and I mean both of those things in the very best way.
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Blurb:
When Marco struts into Gigi’s grill, Alex wonders if she has found the one. When he takes the seat next to her and strikes up a conversation, She is immediately aroused by the heat of his animal magnetism. There is something she sees in his vulnerable, piercing green eyes that touches her heart. She realizes that she wants this handsome man to be more than just her bedmate. She wants him to be her soulmate.
Marco was instantly smitten the moment he fixed his eyes on Alex. There was something about her warm, sympathetic gaze that filled him with hope. Maybe he had a chance to overcome the bitterness and despair that had blighted his life. Perhaps finally some measure of happiness is within his grasp.
The love between them quickly blossoms, but there is a dark cloud on the horizon. For no reason Marco can see, Alex suddenly becomes sullen and withdrawn. He worries that she is slipping away from him. The idea of losing her affection and being forced to retreat back into the cold, black, pit of despair, is more than he can stand. He only knows one way to deal with the pain he is feeling.
Can their love survive the turmoil and grow into something good once more?
Buy links:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
ABOUT SUZANNE SMITH:
Suzanne grew up in Bucktown, a bustling community on the Northwest side of Chicago. She attended North Park College and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts.
Currently, she works full time as the manager of a dental office located in the Gold Coast area of Chicago. When she’s not working, she lieks to curl up on the sofa and watch a good movie or read a good book with her two rescue cats.
Her debut novel, The Brute and I, is a gritty romance that gives the reader a glimpse into the dark and volatile side of new love.
AUTHOR LINK:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100023187394419
Black Velvet Seductions:
http://www.BlackVelvetSeductions.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackvelvetseductions
Thanks!
Dee
Naval Maneuvers When a woman requires an earth-shattering crush of pleasure to carry her away, she can’t do better than to call on the US Navy. Sorry, Marines!
Duty, honor, service aren’t just words. Apply them to loving a woman, and see how hot Naval Maneuvers can get!
ut luckily for me, my mother taught me that dust bunnies regenerate (like bunnies) no matter how many times you Swiffer the floor, and you’re just going to get back in bed again, so making it is only so important. I’m not sure my husband knew my feelings on housecleaning when he married me, but he hasn’t filed for divorce yet, so I might be okay.
different from standard fare. I once proudly told my mom that Jack was so easy to cook for because he was happy with chicken and spinach. Yeah, well, after years of chicken and spinach a woman longs for a bit more. Some chili or pasta, for instance. Still, I don’t have to give up writing in order to work my way through Joy of Cooking—Jack wouldn’t eat most of that food. There’s always a silver lining!
do!) when not writing. When Mom taught me about dust bunnies she actually said, “Forget dust bunnies. There’s always time for a good book!” And boy, was she right! I admit to enjoying watching all of those people building furniture and cabinets and such on HGTV, as well as murdering people (and getting caught!) on ID. The brain needs a rest, y’all!
and then, when you reach your Golden Years, pick the right numbers and be set up for the rest of time. How great would that be?? Unfortunately, life rarely happens like that. Still, it’s fun to imagine…
foot in Wales or Ireland, so I could probably spend a year or more on just those two islands. And Italy is a place I’d like to spend more time. I’d like to go on a safari to southern Africa, and see the Maldives. If I had the money to spread the trip out (with stops in Hawaii and Tahiti, for example), I’d hop on a plane to New Zealand and visit my pal Jan in Australia—someplace I’ve always wanted to go (despite their poisonous snakes and spiders). Closer to home, I’d like to revisit western Canada, and points here in the U.S. Sounds like so much fun!
yacht, island, wardrobe, and expensive jewelry? Nope. Best off not having any of that stuff. It would be nice, though, to see new places and share the adventure with those I love, which really means spending time with those I love, and we can do that with very little cash at all.
years we were there. We spent hours sunbathing, crashing through the surf, and laughing with friends or talking. Later, burned and sleepy from the sun and fresh air, we drove home to shower and change clothes and nap a spell. But later that afternoon, after a seafood dinner at our favorite local spot (Hurd’s, which I think is gone now) we headed for Norfolk and Ocean View amusement park. Not that I ever rode it, but they had a huge wooden roller coaster. I got on lots of other rides, though, and we walked around to see all the sights and hear all the sounds. We ate cotton candy and drank Coke, and generally 
gorged ourselves on the celebration of our independence. After dark, fireworks lit the sky over the bay and we Oooed and Ahhhhed over the burst of lights. Finally, we made our way through the crowd to the car and drove home. Lucky me—I was able to sleep in the next day!
surrounding me from my parents as we walked through that amusement park, still burst through me like those rockets that filled the air over the water with light and sound.
Todd is one of my favorite characters. He was recently interviewed by Kayelle Allen on 
crochet, a little knitting, and crewel work as creative outlets. I stopped counting cross stitch when I had to use a magnifying glass to see the tiny little holes (oh, vanity!), but crocheting is still a relaxing activity.
endeavor for me. Mostly though, I crochet scarves and afghans—nothing greatly detailed that involves shaping, like sweaters or booties.
them it wouldn’t have to be anything too intricate, just hypoallergenic and washable. I think even I could manage that. And in that case, I would once again be using needlework as a creative outlet, but with greater ramifications.
nothing but the clothes on their backs. They crochet winter scarves and donate them to Native American schools in the Midwest where they live. And they do this on very limited incomes! Maybe we can all do a little more to help out those who have less? I’m going to try. Will you?
About Abbey MacMunn:
beach, school concerts, just hanging out with friends, dinner at Dairy Queen, talking about books. For eight years we drove nationwide as long-distance truckers where, even as tired and cranky as we were on occasion, we viewed sunrises and sunsets, wide open spaces, and horrific traffic jams all while holding hands (metaphorically).
Jack has always been there to remind me that that’s the ticket to a good life. He’s always been able to make me laugh, and that’s fun no matter if we’re dressed or not.