Saturday, September 7, 2013

Facebook 3000 Likes Giveaway and an excerpt from BETTER

Month-long giveaway to say "thank you" to all my fans! I love connecting with you on FB. Thank you for reading my work and sharing your thoughts with me. <3
 
 



 
 
Okay, folks. This is the last excerpt I'll be posting for a while. If I plan to get this thing finished in a timely manner, then I have to exit the real world and immerse myself in Cadence's and Mark's. I don't even know where this chapter will appear in the book yet, and just like the last excerpt, this one is neither finished nor edited.
 
 
Chapter ? playing house
 
Mark strolled through the apartment observing the little messes here and there: Clothes flung over the living room furniture. Stacks of unorganized papers on the floor and tables. Glasses with half-finished soda sitting in random spots. He peeked into the bathroom and groaned. Toiletries. Everywhere. He’d forgotten about women’s toiletries, or maybe it was just that Andy kept hers organized and generally out of sight. Not Cadence. There were bottles all over the place, crowding the sink, stacked on top of the toilet tank, lining the ledge of the garden tub.
 
“What the hell?” he said to himself. He rubbed his face, then set to work clearing the countertop.
 
Cadence popped into the bathroom and scanned the sink.
 
“Where’s my brush?” she asked.
 
“I put it away.”
 
“Oh. Thanks. I was gonna do that,” she said, opening the top drawer. She searched around. “Where?”
 
“The other drawer,” Mark replied, eyeing her.
 
She pushed the drawer in, and he caught it before it shut fully. He pulled it back out.
 
“Umm, those nail clippers belong in that basket. See? You moved them while you were looking for your brush.” He paused. “And you didn’t put them back.”
 
Cadence looked up at him. “Seriously?”
 
“Yeah. Seriously.”
 
She made a dramatic show of picking up the clippers and holding them up to his face before dropping them in the appropriate basket. “Better?”
 
“Almost,” Mark replied. Shouldn’t have given me an opening, he thought. “Where do these things go?” He waved his hand over her toiletries.
 
“Right where they are.”
 
“No. There’s not enough room for all these bottles on the sink.”
 
“Then I guess they can go under the sink.”
 
“So why aren’t you putting them under the sink?” he asked.
 
“Because I didn’t think it was a big deal,” Cadence replied testily. “And there’s not much room under there anyway.”
 
“There’s plenty,” Mark said. "And why do you need three hairsprays?"
 
"They're different strengths, okay? I don't expect you to understand. And you don't need to worry about it anyway. If I want three hairsprays, I can have three hairsprays!"
 
He had no response for the hairsprays, so he grabbed Cadence’s hand instead and pulled her into the living room. “I don’t get this.”
 
“Get what?”
 
“This,” he said, waving his hands around. “Look at this place.”
 
“I’ve been working a lot this week, Mark. I was planning on cleaning tomorrow.”
 
“You’re not getting it, Cadence,” Mark replied. He paused and took a deep breath. And then he walked over to an end table. He picked up a glass. “I love you, okay? Now explain to me what this is.”
 
Cadence bristled. “A glass.”
 
“Uh huh. And where does it go?”
 
“Don’t talk to me like that.”
 
“I’m not trying to be an asshole. I’m trying to understand why you can’t ever finish a glass of whatever you put in it, take it to the sink, and rinse it out.”
 
“Are we seriously gonna do this?”
 
Mark held out the glass to her. “Please look at this glass, Cadence. You fill it up to the brim, you drink half, and then you just set it wherever. I need to understand why you do this because it’s driving me crazy.”
 
“So what? I’m a slob?”
 
Mark blinked.
 
“What the hell?!”
 
“I didn’t say ‘slob’. You did. And I don’t think you’re a slob. I do think you’re messy, though.”
 
“Because I don’t have my stuff in nice neat places like you? I’m not freaking OCD, okay? Get off my back about it.”
 
“I don’t need you to be OCD, Cadence. I need you to rinse your fucking glasses out.”
 
“What. The. Fuck? Did you just say ‘fuck’ to me?”
 
“I can’t live like this. Shit. Everywhere. I mean, what’s a bra doing in the dining room?”
 
“You took it off me!” Cadence shouted.
 
Mark thought for a moment. “Oh wait. Okay, yeah. You’re right. Forget the bra. But what about that stack of shit over there?”
 
“That ‘shit’ is my clothes. And I don’t have any place to put them!”
 
“I have closets, Cadence.”
 
“In the guest bedroom! I don’t wanna hang my clothes there!”
 
“Why?”
 
“Because!”
 
“Please give me more than that,” Mark said.
 
“Because if I hang them there it’s like I’m only here temporarily!” Cadence said.
 
Silence.
 
Cadence walked over to Mark.
 
“Give me that,” she snapped, snatching the glass from his hand. She walked to the kitchen.
 
He stood in the living room listening as she washed all the dirty dishes. When the water stopped running, he waited for her to emerge. But she didn’t, so he went to her.
 
She was squatting on the floor wiping the cabinet fronts.
 
“Cadence, what are you doing?” Mark asked. He couldn’t hide the grin and was glad she wasn’t looking at him.
 
“What does it look like? I’m cleaning,” she said. She continued scrubbing as she watched him in her periphery. He walked to her and knelt beside her.
 
“You don’t have to do that,” he said gently. He reached for the dishrag, and she reared back. Apparently the argument wasn’t over.
 
“I’m sick to death of feeling like this isn’t my house!” she screamed. She stood up and threw the dirty dishrag at him. It smacked him in the forehead.
 
“Really?”
 
“I know I’m unorganized, okay? I know my clothes are everywhere! I realize I always pour too much in my glasses! I don’t mean to! I don’t know how to live in your ultra clean, orderly apartment, Mark! Okay? And frankly, I think it’s a little weird. You being so clean. Like, fucking chill the fuck out and just put something where it doesn’t belong!”
 
She stormed out of the kitchen. Mark hesitated, tossing the dishrag in the sink before following her.
 
He found her in the bathroom throwing bottles under the sink.
 
“This is your house, too,” he said.
 
“No, it’s not.”
 
“It is, Cadence.”
 
She paused and looked him in the face. “This has never been my house. This is your house with your sink and your bed and your towels and your plates and your glasses and your closets and—”
 
“Stop.”
 
“It’s true! I don’t know where I belong. I don’t know where my stuff’s supposed to go.”
 
“Anywhere.”
 
“Don’t do that. You know you don’t mean it.”
 
“I do. I mean it. And I’m sorry for getting pissed about the glasses. I am.”
 
Cadence shrugged. She sat silent for a moment, battling what she knew she needed to do. He was right about the glasses. She knew it. But she was pissed off and didn’t want to concede.
 
“I’m sorry I leave glasses lying around!” she snapped.
 
Mark burst out laughing.
 
“What?” she demanded.
 
“That was the worst-sounding apology ever,” he said.
 
“You’re right. It was. And I’m not sorry. Not yet anyway.” She threw another bottle under the sink.
 
“You don’t have to apologize,” Mark replied. He grabbed her hands. “Stop. Just stop, please. And listen to me. You’re right. I haven’t made room for you here. And I’m sorry for that. You shouldn’t have to use the guest bedroom closet. You’re not a guest. You’re my girlfriend, and you live with me now, and that makes all of this yours.”
 
Cadence nodded. “But it still doesn't feel that way.”
 
Mark thought for a moment. “I know. But I have an idea.”
 
 
 
copyright S. Walden, 2013
 

91 comments:

  1. I like to read both. I have a ton of e reads but I also enjoy a good paperback as well!

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  2. I'm following on email. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  3. Thanks for the giveaway! I can't to read what happens next to Cadence and Mark :-)

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  4. I'm following via e-mail. I'm an e-reader.

    Thank you so much for this awesome giveaway!

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  5. I'm a pretty prolific reader, so I use an e-reader, then I am never without a book! I still prefer to have my favorites in hardcover, but a paperback with do if there isn't a HC available.

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  6. I like either. I prefer having a good paperback in my hands but I have gotten used to e-reading as well. My preference is an actual book in hand though.

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  7. Definitely paperback reader if it`s possible :) Thanks for the giveaway!!! I`m following via e-mail :)

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  8. I read both. I'm following via e-mail Thanks for giveaway!!

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  9. Thank you for the awesome giveaway and chance! Crossing my fingers!!! I read both digital and paper copies. :) If it's a fave book I buy the hard copies after reading the digital ones. There are a few series that I started in hardback/paperback before I had my ereader and I just buy those when they come out so I have the whole series in the same format. :)

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  10. I read both--lately it's been digital. :-) Thanks for the giveaway!

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  11. I love paperbacks but these days ebooks are more convenient. thanks for the giveaway, I shared in facebook too.

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  12. I'm an e-reader, but I collect signed paperbacks! I'm following the blog, and I shared on FB.

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  13. I am an e-reader but a collector (hoarder) of paperbacks!

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  14. I'm following via email. Thank for the opportunity to win this giveaway. I am a paperback collector and like the girl above hoarder. Reading an ebook is not the same as having a paperback in you hands :)

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  15. Looking forward to reading more of Cadence and Mark. :)
    Following your blog!

    I'm a little bit of both - ereader and paperback :)

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  16. I follow via email. I read both ebook and paperback. I shared on facebook! Thanks for the giveaway! Congrats on all the likes!

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  17. I am following you by email :) I am both a ereader and paperback reader :)

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  18. I read on my ipad and I still read paperbacks. Im following via email. Thanks for this fantastic giveaway!!!

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  19. Kindle baby! LOL! I love my Kindle!

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  20. E-reader mostly because I can take it with me everywhere :-)

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  21. I read both paperback and ebooks. I prefer to hold a book in my hands, but ebooks are easier to store!

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  22. Digital most of the time, but sometimes a good paperback on a raining day is wonderful. I'm following via email. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  23. I am 100% kindle lover but I do love to collect signed books :D

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  24. I read both but I am addicted to my Kindle so I mostly read through that!

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  25. I read both. I prefer to have an actual book to hold, but I love my Kindle because it holds so many more stories in such a small package.

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  26. I like both. I prefer the book, but find the ease and convenience of always having something to read on my kindle/nook (yes, I have both!) makes me more likely to read on them.

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  27. I like to read both. Shared your contest. I followed you by email. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  28. I follow by email and I read both, ebooks and paperback/hardback. Sometimes you just have to hold the book in your hand. Thanks for your giveaway.

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  29. Following Via GFC (Diana Doan). I also shared your FB post onto my FB page (Diana Doan) <3
    I prefer eBooks (it's just easier), but I'll buy the PB too if I LOVE the book :)

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  30. following via email, and I mostly read on my NOOK or thru my phone on the nook and kindle apps :)

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  31. I am following via GFC - Jessica R
    I LOVE my kindle... but I also love paperbacks.
    The kindle does make night time reading much easier!

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  32. Kindle mostly, but I do read some paperbacks, but mostly I buy my faves in paperbacks so I can show them off and stare at my pretties!

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  33. While I prefer the old school hard copy reading, ebooks have almost entirely taken over my life. It's easier and cheaper in most cases, not to mention all of the Indie books that are only available as ebooks.

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  34. This isn't fair! HURRY THE HELL UP ALREADY WITH THIS BOOK!

    You're killing me!

    I'm an ebook and paperback reader. But if I really loved the book, I'd prefer paperback for it. :) I guess it just depends.

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  35. I love both, but read more with my e-reader because it's so much easier.

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  36. Love it! I can't wait for more Cadence and Mark!!

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  37. Congrats on 3000 likes. Awesome giveaway, thanks!!! I shared your FB post, follow via email and love the ability to carry my reading library with me on my Kindle/Kindle app on my phone and have it available at any time...but I still love to hold a book in my hands.

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  38. I love reading no matter where it is done :)

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  39. I love ebooks more :) But paperbacks are a lot cooler and it's nice to see the real thing

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  40. i have followed, shared, tweeted, and commented. OPPS YAY SO GEEKED TO READ MORE OF YOUR BOOKS :)

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  41. I love loved loved GOOD! AND I CAN'T WAIT FOR THIS BOOK!

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  42. Email, Facebook and Google
    I read both.
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    I love all your books and think your an amazing writer :)
    Can't wait for Better !!!

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  43. I love reading paperbacks but I have to buy ebooks because I just don't have enough storage space.

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  44. Email and Facebook. I am old-fashioned because I like the feel of the pages and I don't have to worry about the battery dying. Thanks for the giveaway!!

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  45. I'm following your blog! Shared on FB! and I read both digital and print. I will always prefer a print book to a digital, but I do love ebooks. Ebooks have allowed me to discover so many authors I would have never otherwise known of. The prices are amazing as well. As a reviewer, I also love the highlight feature =) - But, print will always be my favorite!

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  46. I read both digital and print. Really enjoyed the excerpt for Better, looking forward to reading.

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  47. I love your work and cannot wait to read Better! Thank you for sharing your talents with us.

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  48. I am both! I love my kindle almost as much as my better half, but being able to hold a paperback in my hand on a chilly fall evening really never gets old!

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  49. I lean more towards Digital but I read both and I collect autographed books!! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  50. I am a digital reader but still love paperbacks!

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  51. I love my Kindle but I enjoy paperbacks too!

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  52. I like paperbacks but read on my kindle app too!

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  53. I`m following via e-mail. I love paperbacks, but don`t mind e-books either (kindle).

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  54. i mostly read ebooks, because i can't afford to order paperback from another coutry :D

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  55. I love my kindle, but I still read paperbacks. There is something very comforting about holding an actual book in your hands.

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  56. I read most books on my kindle. But I always buy my favorites in paperback. :-)

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    Replies
    1. I also shared the giveaway & excerpt for Better on FB! :)

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  57. I mostly read on my kindle. I recently read a book in paperback & I had forgotten what it felt like to hold an actual book. I had missed that feeling! Thank you!!

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  58. I following you from my blog!! www.smutwhores.blogspot.com

    Tammy

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  59. I mostly read on my Nook or Nook and Kindle app on my smartphone. However, if the book moves me and becomes an absolute favor, I buy it in paperback form for my library as well.

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  60. I am a digital reader :)

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  61. I mostly read ebooks but sometimes I buy paperbacks.

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  62. I read both but prefer a book in my hand.

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  63. I love your writing! It goes beyond the normal romances and delves into some more realistic situations! I love that! Thanks for the giveaway! You are more than generous!

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  64. I read both ereader and paperback! I love the ereader because I can carry a boatload of books with me!

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  65. I shared with my Facebook friends and tagged you

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  66. I read a little bit (or a lot) of both. Lately it is mostly digital!

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  67. Shared on FB. I am an ereader, but I love to collect signed PB's of my favourite books:)

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  68. I mostly read books on my Nook but there are times when I feel the need to curl up with a good ol' fashioned paperback and a cup of tea.

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  69. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway. I am looking forward to reading your work and will be following your blog by email.

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  70. I read both, ebook is easy to carry everywhere, but in the comfort on my home I read paperback too :)


    Follow your blog by GFC (crisi Riquelme) and by email

    thanks for the giveaway :)

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  71. I read both e book and paper, i usually get the ebook first, then if i really like it i get the paper copy.Thank you for the giveaway I did share on my facebook timeline

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  72. I follow via email, and use an eReader. I still rock it old school and borrow books (paper & e) from local library on occasion :-)

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  73. i read on my kindle but when i love the book so much i buy the PB edition! :)

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  74. And I love to read ebooks and paperbacks. But to be honest ebooks are more practical :)

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  75. I love to read on both! Ebooks are easy to hold for long hours at a time especially if the book is big and easy to take places but at the same time I still have a spot in my heart for paperbacks because theres nothing like getting a new paperback. So I have both but I love paperbacks more!

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  76. I love my ereader, not to say that I would turn my nose at a paperback because sometimes its just nice to hold your favorite book and I love having signed paperbacks, but an ereader is just so convenient and I have so many books available to me at my fingertips!

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  77. I'm following via email! Thanks for this awesome opportunity, I love Mark and Cadence!

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  78. I am both a digital and old school reader. If I really love a book, I will buy the paperback.

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