A warm welcome to author Dem Had joining us to share an exclusive excerpt of new release “Barricades”.
Dem also brought a giveaway for our readers!
Welcome Dem 🙂
Cover Artist: Brooke Albrecht
BLURB:
Born to be enemies. Raised to hate each other.
When introverted Orestis escapes his homophobic parents and abusive home for a night out with friends, he meets artist Emir. The passion between them is instant and explosive but neither society nor their families will accept their love. If they want a romance that lasts beyond one fiery, forbidden night, they’ll have to face the backlash.
World of Love: Stories of romance that span every corner of the globe.
BUY LINKS
Dreamspinner Press
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Looking at his face morphing in surprise gave me great satisfaction. My heart raced when he hugged me, trying to be casual while his whole body trembled. For more than two months, I’d put up with a few hours a week. Every time the connection got a little bit more than skin deep, he had to leave. Torturing myself with a long-distance relationship was one of my concerns at the beginning, but I’d have a solution for that. I’d cut the lease to my apartment and gradually packed everything in my car when my request to attend the artists’ Christmas fair here was accepted. I thought that it was the best opportunity for a trial cohabitation. Besides, I’d been getting sick of my place and I could always return to my parents if I wanted to.
The suspicion that loneliness was our initial bond bothered me. I wanted to confirm our feelings were more than just two incomplete human beings looking for companionship. I didn’t care if it was too early, trusting my gut was the way to go.
Less than an hour later, he appeared from around the corner and approached my table with a smirk.
“Hey.” He sat down, placing his bag on the chair beside him.
“Hey.” I sipped my latte.
He looked around, spotted a waiter, and ordered the special Christmas peppermint hot chocolate. Leaning back in the chair, he eyed me, amused. “So?”
“I was thinking,” I said, setting my elbows on the table, “that the amount of time we spend together isn’t enough.”
“Oh.” Orestis’s eyes welled up with desire. “You can say that again.”
“I missed you,” I whispered, leaning even closer, and his smile got wider as his leg brushed mine. He shaved before visiting me, maybe acted differently around me. Seeing him unshaved in person for the first time made me think how much I hadn’t seen of him. I wanted to know everything, the good and the bad, how he would react to sadness and anger. “How do you feel about me?”
His gaze wandered around before fixating on me. “Is that a trick question?”
“No.”
The waiter served his drink. A frown replaced the faint smirk of confusion and his jaw moved sideways. “Why are you asking? Did I do something….” He choked.
“Hey, you didn’t do anything.” I reached for his hand.
“Are you…?” His head tilted to the side, his nose reddened, and his eyes glazed behind his big frames. He breathed hard. “Why did you come?”
“Why do you think I came?” I clenched his hand, and he pulled it away, looking around again. Orestis had a habit of assuming the worst, and I could imagine what was on his mind at that moment.
“I don’t know. You tell me.”
“I….” I stuttered, “I’ll be in the city for a month, maybe more.” “Huh?”
“I’ll be here for work, so I rented a flat for a month. Come and stay with me.”
He exhaled, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Are you serious?” he asked with eyes closed.
“Yeah…. What do you think?”
“Yes! Yes! Of course, I’ll come. Yes.” He rubbed his face and a grin appeared again. “What work?”
“Well… there is a pop-up shop opening tomorrow and I’m presenting some of my pieces.”
“You didn’t tell me anything.” He slapped my arm.
“Surprise…?” I shrugged.
“Geez, I thought you were….”
“What?”
“Nothing.” He sipped his drink, avoiding my gaze.
Dem has never been diagnosed with ADD, but it’s common to start talking about cats and end up mentioning the stars while using metaphors about food, just after she’s told you about a childhood memory.
As a cynical romantic and a lover of dark romance, she loves pushing her characters to their limits and refuses to give them their happy ending if they don’t work hard to earn it.
She has a soft spot for manga, anime and anything regarding the Japanese culture. She loves spending time with her son, playing music with her husband and posting on social media about writing and her life as a cat-mother. You can also find her in the roads of Limassol driving and singing with the windows wide open.
Dem’s writing journey has just begun.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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Dem brought a giveaway for our readers!
have a chance to win a ecopy of Barricades
I like that it’s set in Cyprus, which is an unusual setting.
Sounds great, liking the excerpt
great cover
This sound sso interesting. The cover is interesting.
Thank you for the excerpt! It sounds interesting.