Obsessed book reviews: Cover & excerpt reveal - Ripple effect by Tracey Jerald

Friday, 10 January 2020

Cover & excerpt reveal - Ripple effect by Tracey Jerald

Release Date: February 3, 2020

Cover Design: Tugboat Design

Synopsis

I’ve experienced the ways love can change a poor man into a rich one, a sinner to a saint, and make people beg for redemption.

Yet nothing I’d ever done was as profound as marrying the woman I love.

Every mission I took was a risk worth taking knowing I'd go home to her loving arms.

What I didn’t know was in my quest to right all the wrongs of the world, I was destroying the only part of it I’d die for - my marriage.

The ripple effect of miscommunication and the sin of my omissions would change all of our lives.

And it would be my wife who would pay the price.

Goodreads

Excerpt

His dark hair is hanging over his ears since he didn’t have a chance to get a trim

before we left for dinner.

At thirty-six, Cal’s more devastating to look at than when I first met him. I could sit

for hours and study the way the way the candlelight highlights the lean planes of his

features. Absentmindedly, I reach for my wineglass on my right. Swirling it around, I

listen to Cal finish ordering the extravagant dinner he thinks I need.

What I need is to scream in agony over the overwhelming politeness that’s

beginning to exist in my marriage. When did I lose my lover and gain a roommate? I

think hatefully. With a flick of my wrist, the red wine I ordered is sent swirling.

“I don’t remember you drinking red,” Cal remarks.

There’s a lot you’d notice if you were home to see it. Instead of lashing out when

Cal’s trying, I simply answer, “On one of my trips to Atlanta, a client suggested this.”

“Business seems to be going well.” He lifts his own glass and takes a drink.

What, are we on our first date? The urge to throw back a scathing reply is on the

tip of my tongue. Until the candlelight catches my wedding rings, sending a twinkle in

my eye. I let it go. “It is. There’s a possibility of being featured in a few magazines.” I

shrug it off as if the news is nothing major even though when the news came in, I sobbed

because I wanted to share it with my husband.

But he was away. Again.

“That’s incredible, Libs.” He lifts his glass. I click mine against it. “We have more

than just your birthday to celebrate tonight.”

“I suppose so.”

Cal pushes back from his chair. Coming around the table, he slips his fingers into

his pocket of his suit jacket. Pulling out a solitaire choke chain, he clasps it around my

neck before brushing his lips against the back of it.

Shivers I can’t control race through my body. “Cal, there was no need. All I want is

you.” It’s the God’s honest truth. I just want to find that spark that’s been missing from

my marriage.

“You have me, honey. I will always be yours. I just thought you deserved this. The

way it lights up reminded me of you.” Another kiss to the curve of my shoulder, which I

lean into.

“Thank you,” I tell him sincerely. And I mean it. I truly do. No matter what ripples

our marriage might have to endure, this is the man I love.

My fingers play with the unfamiliar weight as he makes his way back to his seat.

Gone is the solicitous husband; in his place is the sexy man I’ve never been able to resist.

“I can’t wait to see you wearing just that later.”

And I can’t help but tease him, “If you’re lucky.”

He winks just as our appetizers arrive.

* * *

Later that night, Cal is sleeping next to me after thoroughly making love to me.

True to his promise, I’m left wearing nothing but the gift he gave me as a belated

birthday present.

I don’t know what makes me do it. Grabbing my cell phone, I pull up our joint

credit card account. I just want to be wrong. Please.

But my stomach pitches when I see the purchase from earlier today. It’s to the

infamous jeweler whose distinctive blue box Cal left in our closet so he could appear

romantic when he slipped the choker around my neck.

He didn’t even get my gift until today. All this talk before he left was just that—talk.

He had no plans. All of this was just an afterthought, just like I am.

Closing my phone and setting it to the side, I carefully unhook the delicate chain

and lay it on my end table before extracting myself from Cal’s embrace and settling

down onto my side of the bed the way I normally do.

Curled up and alone.

Giveaway

One of Five ARC's for Ripple Effect

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b1257f8d568/?

About the Author

Tracey Jerald knew she was meant to be a writer when she would re-write the ending of books in her head on her bike when she was a young girl growing up in southern Connecticut. It wasn't long before she was typing alternate endings and extended epilogues "just for fun".

After college in Florida, where she obtained a degree in Criminal Justice swearing she saw things she'll never quite believe and never quite forget, Tracey traded the world of law and order for IT.

Her work for a world-wide internet startup transferred her to Northern Virginia where she met her husband in what many call their own happily ever after. They have one son.

When she's not busy with her family or writing, Tracey can be found in her home in north Florida drinking coffee, reading, training for a runDisney event, or feeding her addiction to HGTV.