Make Me Believe
by Karen Ferry
Believe #1
Publication Date: July 6, 2015
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
by Karen Ferry
Believe #1
Publication Date: July 6, 2015
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
Sometimes, a chance meeting is just the push you need in order to break free from the darkness within…
My name is Emma, I’m 23, and I’ve never been kissed. I’m no virgin…But kissing is too intimate, too intense, and I don’t want that – not ever. I like sex, though, and most of my hook-ups don’t seem to mind the no-kissing part.But then I meet Daniel, who’s such a geek, and definitely not the kind of guy I’d normally take an interest to. He’s the shy, quiet type, but with such a charming smile, and he makes my heart race – something I’ve never experienced before.
Daniel has his own issues to work through, and I know my hardened heart shouldn’t melt when he looks at me. I really shouldn’t be falling for him, either, but somehow, he manages to tear down my walls, and I’m scared…because once he learns my secrets, he’ll want nothing to do with me.
All I know is that Daniel makes me feel things that I have never felt before – but do I dare let down my walls and confide in him?
Will I let him be my first kiss?
This is my story, and I’ll reveal everything in my own sweet time…
Just don’t expect all the hearts-and-flowers stuff.
Life is messy, and mine is no different…
INSPIRED BY TRUE EVENTS
***Due to possible ‘triggers’ and adult situations (yes, there is lots of sex in this book) it is not recommended to persons under the age of 18.
Review by Angie:
When I started this book I didn’t care for it. I was even worried that I would not be able
to finish. I decided I was going to give
it until at least 40% and if I still didn’t like it that I would contact the
author and let her know. But then
something happened. His name was
Daniel. You see, I have a soft spot for
the hot, geeky, completely awkward guys.
Whether it be in books, movies or real life. I found myself completely consumed by this
book and the next thing I knew it was closing in on midnight (way past my
bedtime on a work night), and I only had about 20% left to finish.
Honestly, it took a while for Emma to grow on me but she
did. My heart broke when it was finally
revealed what she went through as a child.
I had a feeling what was coming but, it ended up being slightly
different than what I though.
Mr. Andersen was another character that I couldn’t help but
love. I feel like there is more to his
story and would love to hear his back story, which we never got but it was
hinted at.
Make Me Believe is set in Denmark but I never got that
vibe. It felt very American, which was
weird. Every time the statement was said
“please speak in English”, I was confused.
I mean, “isn’t that what they are speaking”. Maybe infusing some more of the Danish
language would have helped with this.
But there was none. Also, the
constant honey’s and sweetheart’s got annoying after a bit. I’m not a fan of pet names so it just got to
be a bit repetitive.
All in all, Make Me Believe literally made me believe that
this was a great book. I really enjoyed
it aside from the few minor details that I mentioned. I am excited to read Suzy’s story once it’s
released.
4 Stars
About Karen Ferry
Karen tends to have a short fuse if she does not get a proper caffeine fix first thing in the mornings, but she is, in fact, a gentle person deep down.
Karen loves Italian food and wine, travelling, and spending time with her family. When she is not writing, she reads – her favourite genres are New Adult, Contemporary Romance, Erotica and Romantic Suspense. She can never get enough of romance. Or of too many book boyfriends, either.
Even though Karen is Danish, she has always felt more at ease writing stories in English, and she has not read a book in her native tongue in over ten years.
She can be very outspoken and a complete fan girl of other authors online but will, in fact, be very shy once she meets you in person.
Excerpts:
Excerpt 1
Emma
Thinking back
on my hook-up with Kristian last night, I snort and shake my head. I’d been to
a posh club downtown, sipping on a drink at the bar when he’d sat down beside
me, and told me his name before offering to buy me a new one.
“I buy my own
drinks, thank you.” I’d smiled cheekily at him while taking another sip of my
gin & tonic.
He chuckled and
waved a finger at the bartender standing close by.
“Well, then,”
Kristian said. “May I join you?”
I placed a hand
on his arm, subtly leaning my body closer to his, pushing out my boobs in the
process.
“Of course. I
like the look of you.”
Kristian blinked before bursting out
with laughter, and I smiled confidently at him, satisfied with my choice for
the night.
He turned his body closer to mine
and then asked if I wanted to dance with him. Instead of answering him, I stood
up, took his hand in mine and lead him onto the dance floor, picking a perfect
spot amidst other young, drunk people that were out to have a good time. I
turned and put my arms around his neck, shamelessly plastering my body to his, and
when he put his arms around my waist, I made sure to run my fingers through his
longish hair as we became lost in the music pulsing around us. It didn’t take
long before I let the beat of the music take over, and, as usual, the alcohol
flowing through my body helped loosening me up, and I became bolder. When I ran
my tongue lightly up his neck, he hummed, grabbing my arse while pressing his
erection into my tummy, and I knew then that I’d found the man who would be
able to dull the need in me for sex.
Men can be so
easy. All I have to do to catch their attention is to act with confidence, bat
my eyes a bit, and stop holding back from touching their bodies even if I don’t
particular enjoy that part in the beginning of my seduction. Once I’m lost in
the throes of passion, it’s a different story altogether, because I have one
goal in mind alone. Chasing the fire coursing through my veins until I reach
the end, my need quenched once more.
Kristian
was no different than the rest of them, but I have to admit that he left me
feeling more satisfied, physically that is, than many of them have done in the
past.
Excerpt 2
Emma
I’m just
applying the last coat of mascara when I hear the expected knock on my door. I
sigh and turn my neck from side to side, gearing myself up for whatever Daniel
could be up to, and I hurry to get the door for him.
“Hi,” I say,
and I take a step back, allowing him to come inside.
He remains
silent as he walks through and into my living room/bedroom. He takes a look
around and I stand in the doorway, unsure of what to do. I look at the time on
my phone: it’s only ten am. As the silence continues, I become more and more
uncomfortable, and I cross my arms in front of me.
“Do you want a
soda or something?” I ask him, trying to break the awkward silence.
Daniel turns
away from my bookshelf and looks closely at me. I’ve only put on a pair of
capris and a sleeve-less black top, and I haven’t put any shoes on. My hair
hangs wildly around my face, and I curse at not having the time to do something
about it. But then it hits me: Why do I
even care?
“Just some
water, please,” he answers, and I go to the kitchen. I hear him follow me and I
groan on the inside.
“Listen,
Daniel, I really don’t know why you’re here, so . . . ” I hint as I stand with
my back to him, reaching for a glass on the shelf above the sink.
“I know . . .
,” he answers, and I can hear how nervous he is.
As I fill a
glass of water for him, I turn to him. “Come on, out with it, then.” I smile,
but I know it doesn’t look genuine.
“You put on
make-up,” he blurts out, and I roll my eyes, fed up with his stalling.
“Yes, I know.
So what? Don’t get the idea that I did it for you, though. I always wear
make-up when I’m around people.” I walk closer to him and hand him the glass of
water.
“We can sit
outside on the balcony,” I tell him, and I brush past him.
I take a seat
and surreptitiously look down to the hidden pack of cigarettes I keep behind
the door as Daniel takes the other chair beside me. I only smoke when I drink,
or when I can’t fall back to sleep after having a nightmare, but I’m seriously
thinking about lighting one up right about now.
Daniel takes a
sip of water, and then he sighs. “I need your help,” he mumbles, but he doesn’t
meet my eye. In fact, his entire body language seems withdrawn and definitely
embarrassed.
“What do you
mean?” I ask him, and I’m more confused than ever.
“Well . . .” He
hesitates before finally manning up and meeting my stare. “I’m dyslexic,” he
blurts out.
I shrug. “So?
Many people are dyslexic, Daniel.” My voice softens. “It’s nothing to be
ashamed about, you know.” And it still doesn’t tell me anything about why he’s
here.
He looks away,
towards the park across from the complex, and a flush starts to spread on his
neck again.
“It is when you
are about to study English at the university,” he answers back.
“Oh, I see.”
But I really don’t. I mean, I can imagine that it’s bound to cause some
trouble, and it’s far from easy being a student at all these days.
Daniel
remains silent, still staring straight ahead. I allow him more time to get to
the point, but, finally, I lose patience and ask him, “So why do you need my
help?”
Excerpt 3
Daniel
My alarm goes
off and I hit snooze quickly.
Just five more minutes . . .
The ping
alerting me to a text message, however, makes me open my eyes slightly, and my
arm sneaks out from the warmth of the sheet covering me. I fumble around a bit,
my hand searching for my glasses. As soon as I have found them and put them on,
I pick up my phone from the floor, swipe the screen and see that the text is
from Emma.
Damn, she’s up early, I think, yawning,
and I look at her message:
Emma: You know, the walls in this building
are really thin . . .
I frown, confused.
Me: What do you mean??? This is
weird . . .
Emma: Let’s just say that I’m glad I won’t
have to teach you everything . . .
What the . . . ? I bolt upright in bed as a feeling of dread
fills my gut. Before I have the wits to form a reply, another ping alerts me of
a new message. I’m almost too embarrassed to read it, but I think I have to man
up, and so I take a look.
Emma: The next time you need to . . . err . . . relieve some tension? Go
do it in the shower, okay? ;-)
That winky face at the end mocks me,
and I can feel an embarrassing blush starting to rise on my neck. What the hell
do I say back to her? This is really embarrassing. Ugh. I can’t make a joke of
this, but I do have to answer her, I guess. I’m quite relieved that I didn’t
shout out her name last night, though . . .
now, that would be pretty
difficult to talk myself out of. I don’t want her to think that I’m some kind
of pervert just because I had her in mind when I jacked off.
Me: Will do. See you at work.
I throw the phone behind me on the
bed and rake my hands through my hair, all the way to my nape, holding onto it
tightly for a couple of seconds. I breathe deeply a few times before loosening
my hold, and I decide to try to ignore the fact that Emma obviously heard me
get myself off last night. There’s nothing I can do about it.
Excerpt 4
Daniel
Emma takes my hand in hers and pulls
me inside her flat, shutting the door quietly. I wait in her small hallway,
unsure of what to do, and I’m completely taken aback when I feel her arms surrounding
me from behind, her body pressed flush to mine.
For the first time since I last saw
her, I can breathe freely again.
Shite . . . I’m going to bawl like a
baby soon!
Emma's lips press against me, and
although I can't feel them on my skin, they're burning me.
"I'm sorry, Daniel . . . ,” she
whispers softly, and I'm grateful when she leaves it at that. Reaching my hand
upwards, I place it on top of hers briefly before turning in her arms to wrap
my own around her.
I need her so fucking bad right now.
I squeeze tightly, wishing more than
ever that she would allow me to kiss her. But if she won't let me pour out how
much she means to me with my mouth, at least I am able to use my hands, mouth, and
my tongue on her body. Maybe it'll even force her to open her eyes and truly see
how I need her so much.
It would seem that Emma has another
plan in mind, though, because she wriggles gently out of my grasp, takes my
hand again and leads me inside her living room. She stops next to her CD player
hanging on the wall to the right just above her small TV and turns up the
volume a bit. Smiling shyly at me, looking cute as hell, she backs away from
me, and I have no other choice but to follow her. The next song starts, and I’m
surprised when I hear a French woman sing a cover of “Someone Like Yo”’ by Adele. I like it, and I like to see yet
another side to Emma.
“I thought you weren’t a romantic,”
I murmur, keeping my voice low for fear of breaking this strange spell she has
me under, and she shrugs.
“Dancing isn’t necessarily a
romantic act,” she mutters.
Bloody
hell, she’s stubborn.
I want to disagree with her but I
don’t want to lose this moment we’re having right now. Because this feels
significant, somehow . . . The air is charged with electricity, my stomach is
wrapped up in knots, and I honestly don’t know where this is going.
But I know I’ll follow this girl
everywhere she goes.
It’s as if she has woven a web
around my entire being . . . She’s never far from my thoughts, my attraction to
her has not died down while I was away these past few days -- quite the
contrary, in fact -- and even though I don’t believe in some higher deity, I
thank them for bringing this girl into my life.
Emma accepts me for who I am, no
matter where I come from.
I’d be lying if I said I’d want to
break free of the bonds she has wrapped tightly around my heart.
I don’t. Not now. Not ever.
This is it: the moment I hand over my heart to her, unafraid of what the
consequences might be.
And she seems to want to dance with
me. Well, then . . . who am I to deny her? I just hope I don’t step on her toes
too much.
Excerpt 5
Emma
His
hands roam my back, trailing a whisper-soft touch down my back until they land
on my butt. When he squeezes the cheeks tightly, I can’t hold back the low moan
that breaks free from my mouth, but I don’t even want to. For once, I want to
be free of everything . . . my past . . . my future . . . but definitely not my
present.
“What
are you so frightened of?” he asks me and buries his head in my hair. Hearing
him inhale deeply makes my skin break out in goose bumps.
“That
you’ll push me before I’m ready and I’ll end up spilling all my sordid secrets
to you . . . ,” I confess on a tremor that I have no doubt he can feel. My
palms sweat. My core clenches. My heartbeat quickens. Everything inside me
feels as if it is being awakened from a deep sleep, allowing me to truly feel everything for the first time.
He
moves slowly away from me, but not so far that I can’t feel his minty breath
fanning across my lips. He hesitates for a few beats before growling, “I’m
going to kiss you now, and don’t you dare pull away and run away from me. We
clear?”
Hearing
the sudden demand in his voice, I simply nod, slightly surprised by the change
in his manner, and I wet my lips. Agonisingly slow, as if he wants to savour
this moment, he draws ever nearer until, finally, his lips brush against mine
in a featherlike touch. As soon as I feel them on mine, my body erupts in a
powerful flame, and the tingling from before intensifies. His lips brush mine
once . . . twice . . . three times, lingering a bit longer each time. When he
ends the last one by sucking my lip ring into his warm mouth, allowing my lips
to taste more of his, I can’t stand the gentleness any longer. Wrenching my
arms free from around his neck, I stand up on my toes, and grab his face,
needing to be kissed by this man so desperately. Finally, I slam my mouth onto
his, close to combusting with longing for a taste.
Ho-ly . . . fuck!
Groaning,
Daniel crushes me to his chest, angles his mouth to fit better to mine, and
when I feel his warm tongue probing my lips, asking for permission to enter, I
open my mouth on a deep sigh, allowing his tongue to find and tangle with mine.
I’m not sure who first sighs in passionate relief, him or me, but all thoughts
evaporate when he starts sucking on my tongue, and I’m burning up from within.
Then
we become lost in each other and the pleasure, both giving and taking in equal
measure. All that matters is our mouths, our tongues, our teeth, and we can’t
seem to get close enough. Nothing but this immeasurable heat touches us. We’re
in our own small bubble, drinking from one another, and I don’t think I want to
come up for air ever again.
Daniel
moves one hand from my arse, across my hip, and quickly pulls up my top until
he’s touching me, skin to skin. His touch sears through me, making me tear my
mouth from his on a gasp. Breathing heavily, he doesn’t stop his sensual
assault but merely trails open-mouthed kisses all the way from my chin to my
ear and back again. He repeats this over and over before gently sucking on my
ear-lobe, causing my knees to buckle, and I grab onto his arms to hold on for
dear life. In a bold move, his right hand moves from across my waist to my
navel and up my ribcage until his hands brushes the underside of my breasts.
Feeling my nipples harden, I lift my right leg and wrap it around his hip,
causing my pussy to rub against his cock straining against his jeans. Pressing
into me on a deep growl, he kisses down my neck, and I tilt my head to the
side, allowing him better access. My eyes feel so heavy that I have no other
choice but to let them fall shut, fully immersing myself in the pleasure
coursing through my entire being at this significant moment of my life.
My first kiss . . . Yep,
there’s fireworks, the angels are singing, and all that crap. Just like all the
books say…
My
senses are on overload. My pulse beats frantically. My pussy begs for release.
Deep inside my head, I know I’m not ready to take this all the way -- this is
Daniel, after all, and not some random one-night-stand. I want this . . .
whatever this is to be significant.
To not be some quick shag only meant to satisfy a physical need for a few
minutes.
With
Daniel, I want . . . more. I want the fairytale . . . the happy-ever-after I
have never, not once, believed in since I was ten years old . . . until now.
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