~ AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT ~
~ MEET SHAY STONE ~
Shay Stone started her writing career after a car accident left her unable to read or look at a computer. Ironic, right? Many years, and hours of vision therapy later, and voila! She wrote her first book. She lives in Georgia with her four dogs and one cat, that thinks he is a dog. If you happen to be driving around Atlanta, there is a good chance you will see her dancing in her car and singing (poorly) to some 80’s tune. She has no shame.
Her passions include writing and traveling. She writes strong women with a bit of attitude, and flawed men that you can’t help but fall in love with to create that once in a lifetime love one page at a time. The Rise to Fame and The Cost of Fame complete her first contemporary romance series.
To stay up to date on Shay’s latest releases check out her
website or follow her on social media:
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/shay-stone
What if getting everything you ever wanted cost you the only one you ever loved?
The Rise to Fame
Colin Riley's past wasn't a pretty one. He'd worked hard to bury his demons. So when he crossed paths with Alexandra Vaughn, the daughter of the man that almost destroyed his life, he should have run. But he didn't. Instead, like an idiot, he fell in love. Alex was smart, talented, beautiful, and one of the most infuriating women Colin had ever met. From the second he laid eyes on her, he knew he'd do anything to make her his. Why else would he let her trick him into starring in some play?
It was just supposed to be a way to get close to her. How could he have known saying yes to the role would change their lives forever? But that's what happens when Richard Steed - the most sought-after agent in Hollywood swoops in promising to make all their dreams come true. It doesn't take long before the slick agent's true intentions become known turning him into their worst nightmare.
With a ghost from the past haunting them and an agent hell-bent on tearing them apart, is there any way Colin and Alex can survive The Rise to Fame?
The Rise to Fame is Book One of The Fame Series. The second book, The Cost of Fame is now available.
Excerpt from The Rise to Fame
Copyright Shay Stone 2018©
The tension hung heavy in the air between them. Luckily, their characters spent a good portion of the play fighting, so the intensity worked. Sergio praised their performances telling them how impressed he was with their rewrite. “Let’s run through the last scene and then we can call it a night,” he said.
Like the true professional she was, Alex steeled herself, taking her place on stage ignoring her sweaty palms and pretending it didn’t feel like a pile of cinderblocks was crushing down on her chest. The last scene involved a kiss. The thought of Colin’s lips on hers was too much right now.
She knew he was blowing her off. Like a naïve school girl, she swallowed every line he fed her as though she was starving for it. Tears formed in her eyes as she resided herself to the fact that once again, she had allowed herself to be played. She blinked them away and sucked in a deep breath pushing it out quickly.
Colin stood on the opposite side of the stage watching her. She was doing an excellent job trying to hide her emotions. To the casual onlooker, they appeared to be nothing more than two actors rehearsing. No one would guess they were lovers on the brink of implosion. But he could see the confusion and disappointment taking its toll, stealing a bit of the light from her eyes. He felt it when she stiffened every time he touched her, as though the contact physically burned her.
The longer they rehearsed, the harder it was for her to keep up the façade. Oh shit. Her lower lids were getting shiny and watery. If she started crying right now, he would lose it. It was everything he could do not to wrap his arms around her and apologize for being so cold. He wanted to kiss away her tears, hating himself knowing he was the cause of them.
Alex recited her lines doing her best to get lost in the character, but it was difficult. The dialogue was emotional and echoed what they were going through – a couple on the verge of break up because of the secrets between them. She wondered if somehow, Colin had allowed his own fears to come out through the writing.
When it came time for the kiss, Alex tried to remain unaffected, but the moment their lips touched she knew all her efforts had been in vain. The kiss was tentative at first, but quickly turned deep and sensual, like two lovers coming together after years apart.
The inexplicable response that overtook her body every time they touched was reacting inside her like sexual napalm blowing away all reason. She attempted to break away, but Colin tightened his hold around her waist until all the anger she was bottling up came flooding out. She pressed her hands to his chest pushing him away, pounding her fist against him, but he kept kissing her refusing to let her go. His hand gripped her hair almost violently, steadying her head until she finally succumbed allowing her fury to give way to passion and her carnal need for him to take over. Her hands framed his face and slid into his soft locks.
“Cut!” Sergio shouted for the second time before they heard him. “You guys are really going to have to tone it down for the play. Although, I do like the whole beating his chest thing. We should keep that.”
Alex pulled away breaking Colin’s hold. “You really are one hell of an actor.”
“Shall we run it one more time?” Sergio asked.
“No. I think I’ve had enough for one day. We’re done here,” she replied giving Colin a glare so icy he felt his balls shrink. She gathered her things, leaving him standing on stage alone.
Let her go, Riley. It’s for the best. He watched her walk away from him until she disappeared out the door.
“Fuck!” He leaped from the stage, chasing after her, running so hard and fast his feet almost came out from under him. Letting her go may be the right thing,
but he couldn’t do it.
~ Buy links ~
The Rise to Fame
Paperback and Kindle:https://tinyurl.com/TheRisetoFameShayStone
What if getting everything you ever wanted cost you the only one you ever loved?
The Cost of Fame
One night. One stupid night. That's all it took to tear Alex’s world apart and rip her heart in two. Thanks to Richard’s plan she believes Colin committed the ultimate betrayal and she can’t imagine ever forgiving him.
With Colin out of the way, Richard thinks his path to Alexandra is clear. But when he discovers a megastar is also vying for heraffection, Richard is forced to up his game. With his obsession out of control, he takes drastic measures leaving Alex no choice. The only way to protect the people she loves is to agree to Richard’s terms and let Colin go forever.
After reluctantly giving her the space she requested, Colin returns home from a movie shoot determined to win Alex back. He won’t stop until she is back in his arms where she belongs. But she isn’t making it easy. Despite her continued attempts to push him away, it’s obvious she still loves him. Something isn’t right. If Colin doesn’t figure it out soon, one of them will be forced to pay the ultimate price.
Not all stories have a happy ending. Will Colin and Alex get theirs or will their love be The Cost of Fame?
Copyright Shay Stone 2018©
Colin sat on the bedroom floor leaning against the wall with his knees bent rereading the last text messages. Great! Now she doesn’t even want to talk to me. He took another swig of the now half empty bottle of whiskey.
The events of the past few weeks kept replaying over and over in his mind like a bad movie. He remembered talking to Alex, ecstatic for her to come home so he could propose. Then he was at the bar with Erik meeting with the investors. After that, everything got fuzzy. How the hell did he end up in bed with Brittany? How could he have done this?
A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. With a groan, he shuffled down the stairs to answer it. If it was another goddamn reporter he’d take that camera and shove it right up his… “Erik.”
Erik waved his hand in front of his face smelling the booze on Colin’s breath. “Jesus man! You smell like my Uncle Jerry after one of his benders.” He took the bottle from Colin’s hand and inspected it. “Did you drink this whole thing?”
“Not yet, but I’m working on it.” Colin snatched the bottle back from Erik and followed him into the kitchen. He scrubbed his hand over the back of his head. “It’s been a rough damn night. Did you find her?”
“Yes… no… well, kind of,” Erik replied, opening cupboards hunting around the kitchen. “Don’t you have a coffee pot?”
“Alex drinks tea or that fancy coffee. I usually run to the place around the corner to get us some in the morning. What does that mean, ‘kind of’?”
“I know she went to the First Beverly Hotel. Then she ditched her car and left in a silver BMW.” He spotted some instant coffee and frowned shaking his head in disapproval.
“A silver BMW? Who the hell drives a silver BMW?”
“Don’t know. You tell me. Here drink this.” He handed Colin a bottle of coconut water he found in the refrigerator, but Colin waved it away. “Look, just give her some time. I’m sure she just needs a little space.”
“I’m afraid to give her space. Being apart isn’t good. How can we get through this… how can I make her see how sorry I am if she won’t even talk to me?” He rubbed his eyes with his palms trying to focus his thoughts. “Erik, I don’t even know how this happened.”
“You were pretty out of it that night.”
“I was? I remember having one... maybe two drinks… that’s it.”
“Well yeah, but then you started rollin’ with that Brittany girl and taking God knows what else…”
“I did? Why the hell did I do that? And why can’t I remember? I don’t take drugs. I mean I’ve smoked a little pot here and there when I was younger but I’ve never…”
“Hey, it was a crazy night,” Erik remarked leaning against the kitchen table. “Let’s not focus on that now. It’s done. It’s over with. I’ve got something I need to talk to you about, but I need you sober enough to listen.”
“Is it about Alex?”
“No, it’s not about Alex. Will you forget about Alex for two damn minutes? It’s a job offer. I got a call from Stefan Biseman. He wants you for his new biopic. He sent the script over this morning.”
“Really?” Colin responded only half paying attention as he checked his phone again. Still nothing from Alex. Erik stole the phone from his hand and set it on the counter forcing Colin to listen.
“Did you hear me? BISE-MAN.” He pointed to his mouth exaggerating the enunciation.
“Yeah, I heard you. I know who he is.”
“Are you sure? Because you’re acting like you don’t.”
“Yeah, fine I’ll read the script.”
Erik rolled his eyes at Colin’s lack of enthusiasm. “One of the greatest directors of all time is asking for you by name and you couldn’t care less. Damn. I’m telling you that girl must have some kind of magic pussy.”
“Hey, don’t talk about her like that,” Colin snapped with venom.
Erik held his hands up in surrender. “Alright, I’m sorry. I’m just saying. You know how much money this could mean?”
“I don’t give a shit about money.”
“I know. Lucky for you, I do. You just won two awards. We need to strike while the iron’s hot! Think of it as a distraction to help get your mind off things.”
“I said I’ll read it.”
“Good. It’s phenomenal. You’re going to love it. Filming would start at the end of next month. But there’s a catch,” he hesitated knowing it could be a deal breaker. Colin looked at him expectantly. “You’d be filming in Yakutat, Alaska.”
“Okay… so?”
“It’s one of the most remote places on earth. No internet, cell reception... Nothing.”
Colin shook his head. “No way. Not now. Not with everything going on. I mean, I hope Alex and I have worked everything out by then, but I can’t just leave. I need to be here with her. We’re going to need time.”
“You’re killing me here. You know, that right? You don’t just turn down Biseman.” Aggravated, Erik pulled his ringing phone from his pocket and answered it. “This is Erik. What? Wait… are you sure? Alright, thanks.”
This was great. It couldn’t have been more perfect if he had planned it, which he had… well, part of it anyway. Colin stood glaring at him, waiting for him to divulge something. “That was one of my sources at The Shores in Santa Monica. He just saw Alex get into a car and leave the hotel… with Donovan Michaels.”
~ Buy Links ~
The Cost of Fame:
https://www.amazon.com/Cost-Fame-2/dp/1725788039/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
Universal link to KOBO, Apple, Barnes and Noble:
https://www.books2read.com/u/bP58YA
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