Blog Tour, Review, Bonus Scene, & Giveaway! Fate's Love by L.A. Cotton

Synopsis: 

When you meet that one person in the world meant for you... you should hold onto them.

Olivia Bannon walked away. Twice. When 17-year-old Livy meets Ethan, she can’t deny their inexplicable connection. Lost in his dark, intense eyes and smile-to-die-for, Livy never thought she would feel like this. It almost makes her want to break her childhood vow, but Livy knows happily ever after is just an illusion, and despite her heart wanting Ethan, her head is telling her to stick with the plan. The one that doesn’t include falling in love. Period.

Eight years later, Livy finds herself back in her hometown. After the way she left things, the last time they were together, Livy is anxious about seeing Ethan again. It shouldn’t come as shock to discover he has finally moved on—but it hurts. A lot. Accepting that she will never get the chance to put things right isn’t easy, but it’s not until life comes crashing down around her that Livy realizes what she could’ve had. Left broken, alone, and depressed, only one person can pull her out—the guy she thought she'd pushed away one too many times.

Livy has finally realized that you can’t fight fate… Some things are just meant to be. Is this finally her time to get it right, or has Livy missed her last chance with Ethan?

Review- 4 Stars 

I didn't know what to expect when I started reading Fate’s Love, but I can say I was pleasantly surprised! Everything about the world L.A Cotton created felt down to earth and real. To me, that's one of the most endearing qualities in a novel. I could easily see every piece of this story play out right before my eyes.

The story tells the tale of Liv and Ethan and a relationship that developed over eight years. From the beginning you could see the spark between them and it had me rooting for them from start to finish. The fictional characters were brought to life in her writing.

I instantly loved Liv. She was a driven and focused person who was fiercely independent. I couldn't help but admire those traits. I think what I really liked about her though, was that she wasn't about the overly dramatic. There was no part of this where I sat there rolling my eyes at the ridiculous theatrics that seem to go hand in hand with female leads. It was refreshing, to say the least.

And Ethan? Oh don't get me started on him. The word sweetheart doesn't even cover it. In a book world filled with dark and domineering men Ethan stood out as the exact opposite; a genuinely nice guy with a heart of gold, not to mention good looking too. I found myself in Ethan’s corner cheering him on during their eight year journey.

It was nice to read something out of the ordinary when it came to the characters. The secondary characters such as Sharn and Staci, really helped make the story feel real. However, at times, there did seem to be too many people and not enough time to learn about them all. It truly was a world filled with dimension. This happily ever after had me feeling uplifted after finishing it. There's just something about a light and happy ending.

I'll admit it took me awhile to get used to the way the story was written, but after a few chapters I started to realize that, although it wasn't your average writing style, it was unique in its own way. All in all I enjoyed this book.

**Reviewed by Book Need TLC reviewer: Danielle Middleton**

Bonus Scene- Ethan's POV 

My eyes blinked rapidly, disbelieving of the sight in front of them. It was like seeing a mirage; a figment of the imagination. It’s her, my mind screamed. I blinked again, just to double check my mind wasn’t playing tricks, the way it often did; seeing her when it wasn’t really her, but a stranger. Never her. Not since the best fucking night of my life—and the worst.

I watched her stumble along the rubber matted pathway, my eyes drinking in the sight of her. It’s really her. She didn’t look much different; same glossy hair falling around her beautiful face—a face my mind refused to ever forget. But her eyes seemed different. Sad? Maybe. I couldn’t place the emotion. They just didn’t seem to sparkle the way they used to.

Realizing what a douche I must’ve looked standing there, staring, I started to move toward her. My mind hadn’t really processed seeing her, but my body responded instinctually. It had always been that way with us. My feet ground to a halt as she lost her footing and went crashing to the floor. I smiled to myself… some things never changed.

I watched her sit up in a crumpled heap, before moving toward her and extending my hand just as she opened her eyes, damn those eyes. She reached for my hand with slight hesitation, her eyes wide. “Thanks.”

I pulled her up and she steadied herself, and then brushed down her jeans. “At least I didn't crash into you this time.”

I couldn’t speak, too overwhelmed with the sight of her, the feel of her. The bittersweet sentiment of the moment.

Why now?

A slight blush crept over her cheeks and she stuttered, “Erm, so thanks again. How are you? Long time no see.”

Finally, I broke the silence. “Oh, hey Liv, no worries. You should perhaps give up skating for good. Seven years and you're still like Bambi on ice.”

My voice didn’t sound like my own. I sounded robotic. Emotionless. Shit, this was awkward. It had never been awkward between us in the past. But past was past, and present… well, present was fucked up.

Her face paled as she noticed the humorless tone to my voice and I rushed out, “Anyway it was good seeing you. I'd better go, I'm meeting some friends. There's a birthday celebration, and I'm already late.”

“Wait, who are you meeting?” she asked, a slight frown on her face.

No, no, no. Please no.

“Erm, I'm actually here with Kade, but we're meeting up with Keefer Smith and some of his friends. I think it's his girlfriend's friend’s birthday or something.”

Her pink lips drew into a forced smile. “Well, I think that I might be the friend of said girlfriend you are referring to.'”

Fuck.

“I didn’t realize you were back, so I never put two and two together.”

Something flashed in her eyes, but I couldn’t let myself place the emotion, in fear of doing something I’d regret. “Okay, well the guys are over by the bar getting the drinks in. There's a few of us so go ahead and mingle. I need to trade in my skates and go freshen up,” she said, pulling on the hem of her top.

“Cool, I'll grab Kade and head over. Enjoy your birthday night Liv.”

As I walked away from her my heart was beating so fast, I felt a little lightheaded. Almost two years. Two years spent waiting for her to see sense, for fate to cross our paths once again. And what did I get instead? Three years, a girlfriend that wanted what I couldn’t give her, and a chance encounter with the girl my heart never forgot. Shit, life just got complicated.

About the Author 

A. Cotton has a busy mind in need of constant stimulation. A youth worker from the Midlands, UK, if L. A isn’t immersed in a book, she’s figuring out what course to study next. With an imagination that refuses to stay quiet, early this year, L. A finally decided to put finger to keyboard and start typing. Her first novel, Fate’s Love is due for release September 30th.

When she’s not busy reading, writing, and plotting future books, L. A. is mum to two gorgeous children, and their hyper terrier, Rocky.

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Bonus Scene!! Loving Eden by T.A. Foster!

 

Bonus Scene! 

loving Eden

by T.A. Foster

Publication Date: September 25, 2014

Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Book Summary 

Have you ever thought of packing up everything you own and moving halfway across the country?I’m talking about leaving your entire life behind—friends, family, school—with no turning back. No? Me either, but that was before a week of spring break changed my life forever. Before I did something I never thought I’d do at twenty-two. Before I fell in love with Grey. Sometimes happily ever after isn’t always what you think it will be.

Chapter One

  GREY Room twenty-four. I looked at it one last time. The day I moved in here wasn’t a happy day. Pops had died, left me the Palm Palace, and I didn’t have anywhere else on the island to stay. Somehow it became home. A small, one room spot by the ocean had become home. There wasn’t much to pack: work clothes, a few tools, my boots. I had already hauled most of it next door, but there were still a few boxes in storage. I would try to get those before Eden arrived. I looked at my phone. She should be here in four or five hours. I shook my head. I hated the idea that she was on the road by herself. She was stubborn. I knew that the first minute I laid eyes on her, but this was crazier than hell. Driving all the way from Chapel Hill to Padre was damn near reckless, but I couldn’t talk her out of it. She said it had something to do with proving that she was moving for the right reasons. If it meant that much to her I knew better than to stand in her way. I pulled the door behind me and turned the heavy brass key in the lock to secure the room. Maybe one day I’d be able to afford those fancy keyless entries, but that was far off. I was lucky the Palm was still open. It had been a rough year trying to keep it afloat, but Eden breezed in here and showed me what was possible. She had all kinds of creative ideas about marketing, advertising, and services we could add. It was one of the things I loved about her—she saw past the peeling paint and the rusty doorknobs. She saw the Palm the same way I did and she loved it. She loved every last pink and blue tile, the way the boardwalk creaked when you walked on it, and how we probably had the only pool on the island without a diving board. That girl was something else. I didn’t take it lightly that we were moving in together. Who could? Last time I tried this Laura and I barely left on speaking terms. But that was different. That was Laura and her obsession with med school. This was Eden and everything about her made me realize it was the right decision. Sure I was nervous, but I’d never tell her that. I didn’t want things with us to end up like they did the last time I gave this a shot. I was going to make sure it wouldn’t. That’s why I had to surprise her with the beach cottage. I couldn’t let her move all the way here and start off in room twenty-four. We’d probably get on each other’s nerves faster than the tide changed on the beach, but besides that I wanted her to know I took this seriously. The blue house next door meant something. It wasn’t a cramped shoebox where we’d have to split a closet and a dresser combo. It was a place that could be ours, a place we could work on together, and a place where we could figure out the future. I shoved the key in my pocket. I had to get it back to the office. My phone rang. “Hey, Marin. What’s up?” “I just talked to Eden. She’s in Louisiana.” “You didn’t ruin the surprise did you?” I had trusted everyone on the island with the beach house secret, but deep down knew someone would let it slip. Things had a way of getting out around here. Marin laughed. “No, she has no idea. She thinks you are bunking up in that cute little room of yours at the Palm.” “Thanks, girl. Did she sound ok? I’m trying not to bug her.” What I really wanted to do was call her every hour and find out where she was, but that would contradict her plan. I managed to respect it since she got on the road. “She sounded like a girl who can’t wait to see you. I’ll let you know when she get’s to the bridge, ok?” “Alright. Thanks. I appreciate you checking up on her for me. I don’t want her to think I don’t think she can handle it.” I opened the door to the stuffy office. “She can handle it. Don’t worry about her, Grey. She’ll be here tonight. Call you later.” “Thanks.” Marin hung up and I tossed my phone on the cart. I had a few rooms to check before I made my way to the cottage to get things set up. Eden would be here tonight. This would be her office. I was handing over the books, the reservations, and all of the marketing to her. It was probably a bigger step than sharing a bathroom, but I knew I didn’t trust anyone else with Pop’s legacy like I trusted Eden. As I shoved the cart out of the back door, I heard the wind kick up on the beach. Eden and I were moving in together. I knew after tonight my life would never be the same, and there was no turning back. Good thing I didn’t want to.  

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Previous book in the series.

kissing Eden – Available Now!

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About the Author

T.A. Foster's Bio: T.A. Foster once spent a month-long spring break on South Padre Island, where she soaked in the Texas sun, beach, and learned what real Texas country music is. Sometimes fiction does spring from reality. She grew up catching rays and chasing waves along the North Carolina Outer Banks and now resides in the state with her adventurous pilot husband, two children, and two canine kiddos. T.A. has an undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a graduate degree in Educational Psychology from Texas A&M University. When she’s not chasing her two-legged and four-legged children or trying to escape for date night, you can find her reading, writing, or planning her next beach trip. 

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