#Giveaway: Branded by Lora Ann

Some choices are simple, some are hard, and some leave a brand.

One unforgettable night at a masquerade changes it all.

Mogul Nik Strand is all too familiar with the curve balls life likes to throw. Believing his soul can never be restored, he covers his pain and heartbreak with money. The more the better—as his heart is nothing but ice.

Aimee Taylor makes a decision that will haunt her forever. Unfortunately life doesn’t come with a do over; therefore, she makes the best out of what she has.

An unforeseen circumstance brings these two together again, even though, neither can explain how or why the other seems so familiar. As love tries to heal this wounded couple, a common adversary seeks to destroy.

Please note: This book has strong language, violence, and sexual content. Not intended for readers under the age of 18.

He only nodded, deep in thought. “I can help you,” he declared.

I was not expecting that. Honestly, I was growing skeptical. What if he offered to hire me? Yes, I was more than attracted to him, but I was no longer hiring myself out. That chapter of my life was over—the end. “How, exactly?”

Again with the half-smile—Dear Lord—he replied, “Marry me.”

“Excuse me? Look, this is the twenty-first century. A woman doesn’t get married because some asshole threatens her. Come on! That’s just absurd.”

Well, that did it. Now he was furious. He stood up so fast I thought he was going to knock over the sofa and me with it. Then he began to pace while he growled, “I’m fully aware of the century, Aimee. The point is, that ‘asshole’ can wreak havoc on your life like you’ve never seen. You cannot ignore him and hope he’ll go away. You need protection, and I can provide it. It’s really that simple,” he apprised.

Now I was angry. “First off, don’t talk down to me. I’m not a child. I’m obviously aware he can ruin my life. That was why I had agreed to stay with him in the first place. I have plenty of money to hire my own protection. I damned sure don’t need your help, Mr. Strand.”

He grabbed my upper arms. “Yes, Ms. Taylor, you do need me.”

“You know what…Piss off!” I broke free of his grasp and marched over to the elevator to push the call button. The door opened immediately.

I heard Nik bellow, “Aimee. Get your ass back in here, now!”

As the doors slid closed, I flipped him off. Just who did that man think he was? I would figure this out myself. I was sick and tired of these powerful, commanding men telling me what to do with my life. They could all go to hell.

Lora is a Missouri native who relocated to California as a teen. She spent several years as an international flight attendant for a major airline, before taking on her greatest job ever, a stay-at-home mom. Now she resides in Kentucky with her family, and has taken on her newest adventure, writing.