Текст книги "Epic Sins"

Автор книги: Trudy Stiles

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Текущая страница: 1 (всего у книги 17 страниц)

Copyright © 2015 by Trudy Stiles.

Trudy Stiles, LLC Copyright ©

First published in 2015.

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual, locations or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior express, written consent of the author.

This book is intended for mature adults only. It is not suitable for anyone under the age of 18.

Cover Art by Sarah Hansen of Okay Creations

Editing by Murphy Rae of Indie Solutions

Interior Design and Formatting by Elaine York of Allusion Graphics, LLC/Publishing & Book Formatting

Content Warning: This book is not suitable for young readers. It is intended for mature adults only (18+). It contains strong language, adult/sexual situations and potential trigger subject matter.

To contact Trudy:

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authortrudystiles

Instagram: https://instagram.com/trudystiles/

Website: www.trudystiles.com

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/trudy_stiles

Twitter: @trudystiles

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Trudy-Stiles/e/B00H3O0OJ8

Editorial Reviews

Trudy Stiles’ first three novels, Dear Emily, Dear Tabitha, and Dear Juliet received stunning praise from the indie community. Read these books to enhance your reading experience with Epic Sins and see what these incredible bloggers, reviewers and authors all saw in Trudy’s work.

Dear Emily Reviews:

Natasha Tomic, Natasha is a Book Junkie: “This book has the power of touching the reader so deeply by giving us unique and very precious insight into the world of child adoption, from both viewpoints of the birth mother as well as the adoptive parents. I walked away at the end of this book feeling like my heart had grown tenfold, overflowing with so many emotions, and desperately hoping that fiction, in this case, had found its roots in real life.”

Mollie Kay Harper, Tough Critic Book Reviews: “I was blown away by the story’s originality. I was blown away by the romance and passion. I was blown away by the heartache and pain. I was blown away that I whole heartedly invested my emotions into the lives of these two women.”

Gitte & Jenny, Totally Booked: “What a truly breath-taking, compelling and beautifully stirring debut from Trudy Stiles. The writing was truly beautiful and the story which shows the past as well as the present was so raw and gripping my heart was so full of cracks by the time I’d finished.”

Chris’ Book Blog Emporium: “I love when a book can grip you right from the first few pages, pull you in and not let you go until the very last page. Trudy has written a page turner. Her debut novel knocked my socks off and she is definitely an author to check out.”

Nic Farrell, Flirty and Dirty Book Blog: “I’m not sure what I expected when I started Dear Emily by Trudy Stiles but one thing is for sure, I had no idea how emotional of a read it would be. Not your fluffy and mushy love story, Dear Emily was so much more.”

Becca Manuel, Becca the Bibliophile: “It’s a love story that is so profound and yet it is hardly ever spoken of. It’s the story of two women, torn apart by life that had left them scarred and a bond that they will forever share in a little girl neither have met yet – Emily.”

Rebecca Shea, USA Today Bestselling Author: “When a book leaves you thinking about it days later – that’s a good thing. This was a 4.5 star before because it was good, really good…as in amazing. It’s now a 5 star because it did something to me…it left me wanting more – needing more. That is the sign of a 5-star amazing book.”

Jen Skewes, Three Chicks and Their Books: “I am not even sure that I can begin to express just how much I loved this book and how truly amazing and touching it was. Dear Emily is by far one of my favorite books this year. It is one of those books that will stay with you.”

Jesey Newman, Scmhexy Girls Book Blog: “Dear Emily is a beautiful story about love, lust, family and the tragedies endured by Carly and Tabitha, our leading ladies. Trudy Stiles has woven the lives of these women both past and present, in such an amazing way.”

Amanda Maxlyn, author of “What’s Left of Me”: “There are books that will pull you along as you read, and then there are books that will literally pull you into the story as you read. Dear Emily is the book that will suck you in with the first sentence and not let you go until the last word. Trudy Stiles has a gift. She created a beautiful, yet pained world of two strangers that become connected in the most stunning way.”

JJ Rossum, author of “Thou Shalt Not”: “Well, Ms. Stiles, you really knocked this one out of the park. I loved it. Unique story line, characters you could root for and emotions you could really feel.”

Kelly, Perusing Princesses Book Blog: “Trudy Stiles has entered the indie writers world with an impressive boo – get ready for the shockwaves to hit, because this is one debut you do not want to miss!”

Kathryn Perez, author of “Therapy”: “With so many books out there today, it’s hard to find one that isn’t just a cookie cutter version of the next. I personally enjoy books that are more than a “surface” read. I like to walk away from it having gained a message. I like to feel the story and characters. Trudy Stiles does just that with this book. She conveys with her writing a beautiful story that grips you, touches you and stays with you.”

Tiffany Marie, Everything Marie Book Blog: “The entire story will leave you in tears and provoke strong emotions from you. It is very touching and so personal, it’s hard not to love this book. For a debut novel, this book really hit the mark.”

Dee McGee, Booze, Bookz and Bad Boyz: “I absolutely loved Dear Emily. Trudy Stiles debut novel impresses the heck out of me. She took what could have been a straight forward dark, tragic plot and turned it into a beautiful story about coming to terms with adversity.”

Virginia, Love N Books: “Trudy’s writing is detailed, emotional and beautiful. She tugs at your emotions and makes you feel as if you know these characters. You can’t help but feel for these broken women and wish their heartache would end and they would find happiness.”

Dear Tabitha Reviews:

Natasha Tomic, Natasha is a Book Junkie: “Confession time. I was terrified of this book. Literally, breaking out in a cold sweat the moment I decided to read it. This is truly a book like no other. This story is told with honesty and heart, making the reader feel so many different emotions page after page, but most of all the author’s reverence for her own characters. I walked away feeling like every half-empty glass in my life was suddenly full to the rim, thankful for this journey and determined to read every word this author ever decides to write.

Robin Segnitz, Hesperia Loves Books: “Dear Tabitha is a powerful story of healing, love an family. I felt a range of intense emotions while reading including anger, rage, sadness, love and joy. I found Dear Tabitha absolutely satisfying and the best work yet for Trudy Stiles. Five stars for Dear Tabitha!”

The Danish Bookaholic: “Ms. Stiles has a wonderful way with words, and I find it difficult to fully express how uch I love this book. Every single page moved me, sometimes to laughter, sometimes to tears. My heart was hurting so much for both Tabitha and Alex, and my romantic soul could not stop hoping and praying that, despite Tabitha’s silence, they would somehow find their way back to each other again.

Annie Gabor, All is Read: “Trudy is an amazing storyteller who easily makes her characters become so realistic. You will feel every emotion they feel, the frustration that boils up and puts you on the edge of your seat, the heartbreak, forgiveness and love.

Beth, The Indie Bookshelf: “This is a great emotional read. Ms. Stiles makes you feel, laugh, cry and hope. Sometimes hope is the most dangerous emotion.”

LL Collins, Bestselling Author: “Trudy Stiles is an amazing storyteller, reaching in a gripping your heart right from the get go. She’s an author to watch, and I’ll be sure to read anything she writes.

Jesey, Schmexy Girls Book Blog: “This is a journey that will tear your heart out. The past, the present, and the future all come together beautifully to bring this story to an end.”

Sarah Griffin, Books to Breathe: “I will leave you with this: the emotions displayed between Alex and Tabitha, when they allowed their walls to crumble and their hearts to open, were enough to make the darkest of hearts smile. Just know this, it wrecked me, completely and utterly wrecked me, and I’m a better person for it.”

Dee McGee: “Trudy Stiles writing continues to keep me enthralled. Dear Tabitha is a heart-wrenching, deeply emotional story about two people overcoming a turbulent past and trying to find themselves…and love.”

Dear Juliet Reviews:

Amanda Maxlyn, Bestselling Author of What’s Left of Me and What’s Left of Us: “ There’s a difference with just simply writing a story and writing a story with real, powerful emotion that will stay with you forever. Trudy Stiles is one of those writers that has the ability to bring words to life. When you read a Trudy Stiles book you’re not just reading a story about two characters and their path to finding peace and happiness in life, you’re reading a story about raw heartache and the real struggles in life that shapes and molds characters into strong individuals who you’ll connect and root for throughout the entire novel. She creates a world that will leave you speechless and content. It’s a world that you’ll fall in love with beyond your own control and won’t want to let go.”

Becca Manuel, Becca the Bibliophile: “ This book encompasses love, friendship, heartache and fate. The ending totally blew me away and I never saw that coming at all. But it is a surprise that helps everyone finally find some peace. I adore this series and this author to bits and pieces. A must read and one that will forever have a little piece of my heart.”

Virginia Carey: “Dear Juliet is beautiful. Just beautiful. I am seriously in love with this book, Trudy’s writing and the entire series. Trudy writes about real life. And I love it. Life isn’t always easy but we learn, we grow and we continue to live. And her characters and their experiences reflect all that. Dear Juliet is the perfect conclusion to an amazing series. All of the books tie so perfectly together. And I was disappointed to see it end.”

Elizabeth, Perusing Princesses: “Trudy grabs a hold of your heart and soul and just wrings it out with every emotion to the very last drop with this beautifully heart wrenching story of Juliet and Seth. She takes you on an incredible journey that starts on the very day that Juliet was born, and through her school years, young adult and grown adult. She includes heartwarming and soul crushing scenes that leave you breathless.”

Juliana Cabrera: “Trudy’s writing is always heartfelt, thought-provoking ride on your emotional rollercoaster. I love every second of it.”

Kellie Montgomery, Eye Candy Bookstore: “I really loved this book. While Dear Emily will always be my favorite and hold the most special place in my heart, this one touched some deep emotional places and I adored the bond that Juliet and Seth had– it was timeless and once in a lifetime. Five stars as always. One of my favorite series of all time.”

Jesey Newman, Schmexy Girl Book Blog: “Dear Juliet…another AMAZING book to add to the Forever Family Series by Trudy Stiles. It’s no secret that this series is on my must reads list. It’s also no secret that I am not (well…WAS not) a fan of Seth’s. After reading this book I realize that it is so easy to judge one’s character when you don’t have all the facts. There is so much more to him than what we saw in Dear Emily and Dear Tabitha. I am now 100% #TeamSeth!!!”

Beth O’Gwynn Rustenhaven, The Indie Bookshelf: “So Many Feels. I am out of emotions. This last in the Forever Family Series will make you reevaluate how you felt about previous characters. Juliet should be a confident well adjusted young lady. She has a family that loves her. That wants her. But her self-confidence is in the dumpster thanks to overheard conversations and lingering doubt about her worth. Seth has every reason to be skeptical of families. His is the pits. It colors his relationships but not his hope. He is forever hopeful. Even if that hope is buried deep down.”

I Heart Books: “ How do I say this without sounding totally cheesy? Trudy Stiles has cemented herself as one of the big dogs in the world of indie authors with this one. Just amazing. Perfect ending to the series. Perfect way for things to come full circle. Fantastic.”

Tabby, Tantalizing Reviews: “Trudy Stiles wrote a series where not one but all the characters involved will forever hold a special place in my heart. I so much enjoyed experiencing every heartbreak and triumph that these characters went through.”

Robin Segnitz: “Dear Juliet is about lifelong friendship. Healing. Redemption. It’s a story about best friends who become lovers. It’s an emotional story. There were times the story was very sad, and I really struggled with what Seth and Juliet were experiencing. Please follow these characters through the years, and I promise you will be rewarded. I finished this novel with a huge smile on my face!”

T Tbird London: “I have always loved that Trudy’s books are based on adoption. The beauty and miracle of adoption is shown at all angles with her series, but she also shows the heart break and emotion that comes along with such a choice. I was constantly reminded in Dear Juliet how our choices as parents will affect our children at some point. Our response to loss, be it death or abandonment will leave either a lasting scar or a positive message with our children. This is what Juliet found out. Being loved by her adoptive parents was vital, but feeling like the one person who was supposed to love and want you didn’t, never let her freely be the woman she was meant to be.”

Jade, Blushing Babes Up All Night: “Excellent Job Trudy! The writing of this beauty was completely worth it because you NAILED IT! You twisted my perceptions of characters I previously met and made me like them... love them even. BEAUTIFUL!”

Synopsis

This book is not suitable for young readers. It is intended for mature adults only (18+). It contains strong language, adult/sexual situations and potential trigger subject matter.

Garrett Armstrong, the lead guitarist of Epic Fail, womanizer and not-so-nice guy, leaves a trail of women in his wake. A recent one-night stand wreaks havoc and turns his present completely upside down. He’s faced with a reality that he never expected. Never wanted.

Samantha Weston can’t escape the black cloud that follows her. She suffered an unspeakable loss as a teenager and has been climbing uphill ever since. As soon as her life starts to become manageable, she’s slammed with another tragic event, forcing her to abandon the only thing in life that she cherishes.

A heartbreaking situation throws this unlikely pair together. They’re forced to face things that seem impossible. Can Sam get past the demons that haunt her? Can Garrett accept a fate he swore to avoid at all costs?

Can they conquer the sins that are poised to destroy them, or will they become an Epic Fail?

Epic Sins is the first book of the Epic Fail series, a spinoff of The Forever Family series.

Reading The Forever Family series is not required as these are all spin-off/standalone novels, but it may enhance your experience.

Music Inspiration

Every book of mine plays out to a soundtrack in my head. This book was written while listening to Marilyn Manson and Royal Blood on constant repeat.

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Epilogue

Coming Soon...

Note to My Readers

Acknowledgements

About the Author

Sam

Past

Villanova, Pennsylvania

Age 16

“SAMANTHA, HONEY, ARE YOU IN HERE?” Aunt Peggy’s voice is muffled through the closed door. I pull the covers over my head and hold my breath, just like I did when I was a kid. The scent of dryer sheets fills my nose, bringing me back to reality. I’m in the guest room of my aunt’s house, trying to hide from everyone, from everything. There are strangers all over her house, and I’m terrified to hear anything they have to say. The doorknob rattles and I sink deeper into the bed, hoping that I’m invisible to her. To the world.

“Sam?” Her voice is clearer, closer. The bed sinks beneath her weight and I feel her warm hand through the comforter. She rubs my leg and I whimper as I hear her voice shake. “I’m here for you. We’re going to get through this.”

I suck in all available air around me as my tears begin to soak through the sheets. “I can’t—I just can’t,” I manage to say while turning onto my side, still covered completely.

“I know how hard this is for you. How senseless and difficult it is to understand.” She pauses and allows her sobs to come freely. “It’s wrong and I’m mad. Angry, goddammit.” I tense as the curse word flies from her mouth. Aunt Peggy has never raised her voice around me, and I certainly have never heard her use profanity. “How that monster ever deserved to breathe the same air as us, as them, I will never comprehend.” She inhales deeply and her voice becomes more controlled, calm. “We’re going to get through this. They would want you to live. To be happy.”

My heart races; sweat from my temples rolls down my cheeks and mixes with my tears. I’m teeming with anger. Hate. I bolt up, tossing the covers off of me. “Be happy? How the hell are we supposed to ever be happy again? They’re gone! Gone! He took them from us.” Aunt Peggy’s eyes widen and her already pale face turns ashen. She looks confused, then scared. “He took away my parents. My home. Everything.” I’m practically screaming as I clench the comforter in my fists.

Voices from the hallway come closer, and soon Detective Michaels’ shadow fills the room. “Ms. Weston,” he addresses my aunt. “I’m so sorry to interrupt. Do you have a minute? We have a few more questions for you.” Despite his ominous presence, his eyes seem kind. “Is that alright?” I swallow the bile that has risen and feel it burn as I force it back down my throat. What else could he possibly want to know?

Aunt Peggy’s eyes find mine and her face softens. “I’ll be right outside, okay? I won’t be far.” I nod and look away, finding a smudge on the wall to hold my focus. The smudge begins to blur as tears once again fill my eyes, threatening to spill onto my cheeks. I want these people away from us. I can’t bear to hear them repeat the events that happened this morning. The events that destroyed my family.

She reluctantly stands up and follows the detective into the hallway and down the stairs. Detective Michaels’s voice is anything but quiet and discreet. “We’re trying to understand how he was able to leave the treatment facility. There are no witnesses, and we’re scouring through hours of surveillance footage.”

“I don’t understand. Wasn’t there security? What kind of place was this?” Aunt Peggy asks, anger rising once again in her tone. “And what makes you think I could possibly have any information about this?”

“He admitted himself into the rehab center. He was there of his own accord. While there was security, it was light. What we’re trying to figure out is what caused him to snap and why he chose to go to your brother’s house. Are you sure you’ve never heard your brother or sister-in-law mention his name?”

“I’d like to know the same thing, Detective. I promise you, my brother and his wife did not know this man,” she hisses.

I find myself standing in the open doorway, straining to listen to their conversation from downstairs. I don’t want to know. I don’t want to know. My feet pay no attention to the mantra I repeat in my head, and my legs shake as I follow their voices. I quietly walk down the stairs and peer into the living room, hoping I’m still invisible. Let this be a dream. I don’t want to know. I don’t want to know.

“Detective Michaels,” a new voice echoes from the kitchen. “We have the nine-one-one call ready.” Oh no.

No. No. No.

As much as I want to turn and run back up to the bedroom, I can’t.

Papers rustle and several people move quickly through the living room into the kitchen, filling the space around the large center island where a laptop computer sits. My aunt stands behind them, frozen in place, grasping one of the stools at the counter, knuckles white.

No. No. NO.

“Nine-one-one, what’s your emergency?”

“Help us! Help us, please! He’s in the house!” A crushing pain tears through my chest as I listen to my mother’s desperate screams.

“Hang up that phone. I just need some help.” An unknown voice is heard in the background. It sounds shaky. Desperate. That’s not my father. It must be him. Bile once again rises in my throat.

“Stay away from me!” my mother frantically yells.

“Ma’am, we’re tracing your location now. We’ll be sending help as soon as possible. Please stay on the line and try to get away from the intruder. Get into a room and lock the door.” The operator sounds calm as I hear her talking on another line with a dispatcher, giving him directions.

“No! Please don’t do anything else to him! He’s already hurt. Please don’t hurt him anymore!” She’s pleading, begging with the stranger. The monster. Who is she talking about? Who’s hurt?

“I didn’t mean to hurt him.” The man’s voice is distressed. “I didn’t think I hit him that hard. Please, I just need some medication. Do you have anything here? Oxy? Vicodin? Benzos? Anything?”

“I don’t know what any of that is! No! I have none of that!”

“Ma’am, tell him that you’ll check your medicine cabinet upstairs. Go quickly and lock yourself in. Help is on the way. Is there anyone else in the house with you?” The operator gives her clear instructions and I hear my mother’s breathing hitch.

“Just my husband. My daughter is at school.” She pauses and says calmly, “I’m four months pregnant.” I close my eyes as tears stream down my cheeks.

“Hang up the phone!” the lunatic screams at my mother and I hold my breath.

“Wait!” she says desperately and I hear the lie form in her voice before the words come out of her mouth. “I-I think I have some of those pills upstairs…in my medicine cabinet.”

“Don’t lie to me!” he yells.

“What are you doing?” My mother’s voice becomes frantic and it sounds like the phone fumbles in her hand. “Why are you doing that?” Her voice is strained. “Stop that!”

“Insurance,” he says calmly, sounding crazy and sadistic at the same time. “If you do anything stupid, we all go up in flames. You don’t want that—do you?”

“You’re crazy!” She’s yelling at him, and it sounds like she’s trying to get away. “Ben, wake up! Wake up!” She screams my father’s name in a desperate attempt to get him to respond to her.

“Make it stop,” the man yells and pleads. “Make it stop.” He’s moaning and my mother holds her breath.

“Turn off the gas, please. You don’t want to hurt anyone,” my mother begs him as the man moans louder.

“Ma’am, get out of the room now. Do you hear me? Run,” the operator calmly but firmly says to my mother.

“Ben! Wake up, please!” Her voice sounds farther away, like she dropped the phone on the floor. Her cries become incoherent. She’s screaming and sobbing. “Ben!”

“Stop. I told you to stop. Make it stop!” the man yells again, and I suddenly hear my mother gasp.

Then nothing.

Nothing.

“Ma’am?” the operator asks. I then hear her say to someone off in the distance, “The line has been cut off.”

A few moments later.

“Explosion reported in a subdivision off of Route Three-Thirty-Two. All units in the area, respond immediately.”

I sink to the floor, holding my breath, hoping to hear my mother’s voice one more time.

Nothing.

When my legs give out, I hit the floor with a thud and all six heads in the kitchen turn to look at me, eyes wide and worried. Sad and full of pity.

“Sam!” My aunt gasps as she rushes toward me.

“Somebody get some water.” Detective Michaels’ voice is distorted, and his face blurs as I try to focus.

“Sam, stay with us, okay?” Aunt Peggy’s voice is soothing, and I feel her cradling my head in her lap. I throw up all over her as I close my eyes.

I don’t want to know.

I didn’t want to know.

Please let this be a dream.

It has to be a dream.

I try to picture the day as any other day. If I try hard enough, maybe I’ll wake up from this awful nightmare. I close my eyes and see my mom in the kitchen, planning a quiet dinner at home after a hectic day. She’s smiling and doing what she loves. My father is at her side, helping prepare my birthday meal. They’re in love. Happy. Perfect.

And then they are gone.

Boom.