“Jewel E. Ann has once again crafted a flawless story that is utterly unique and unforgettable. Hands down my favorite book of 2019!”
-- Aly Martinez, USA Today bestselling author
Jersey Six, an all-new “intriguing, gut wrenching and raw” romantic suspense from Jewel E. Ann, is available now!
How far would you go for revenge?
A hit-and-run accident leaves Jersey Six orphaned and homeless on the streets of Newark, shattering her dreams of school dances, pink nail polish, and a diploma.
Eight years later, a burn victim with amnesia wanders into Jersey’s barely-existent life. She resists his efforts to form a friendship until he reveals knowledge of the person responsible for derailing her future. Through their unusual friendship, she discovers a way to avenge the deaths of her foster parents.
All she has to do is destroy the world’s biggest rock star.
In the ultimate game of sex, lies, and manipulation, can Jersey discover the truth? Or will she be blinded by attraction, deceived by love, and destroyed by her past?
Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!
Excerpt:
“We ate at the hotel.” Her lips twisted to the side. “Mind if I stick some stuff in my bag for later?”
A tiny wrinkle formed between Ian’s eyes, just below the long sweep of his black bangs. “There will be lots of food available later too. But…” he shrugged, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees “…take whatever you want.”
Jersey glanced over her shoulder at the food and the three other men in the room. She decided to wait a little while before shoving as much as possible into her bag like a free-for-all. “Thanks.” Jersey returned her attention to Ian. “So … you’re a singer. Like … are you a big deal?”
Every word she spoke seemed to feed his level of happiness. “Well …” He rubbed his chin, twisting his lips. “We play music. People like to listen to our music. But no … it’s not a big deal. We’re not saving lives or anything like that.”
She eyed him with suspicion for a few seconds. That smile of his didn’t feel worthy of complete trust. “Um … what exactly do you need me to do? What’s my job? They already took Chris. Will that big, bearded guy come for me too?” Jersey couldn’t remember his name.
“No.” Ian stood, pushing his elbows out from his shoulders, twisting side to side. “Tonight you are just going to watch the concert from backstage. Tomorrow night you’ll sell merchandise.”
“Drugs. You mean drugs, don’t you?”
Ian paused his stretching, letting his arms fall limp to his sides. “Merchandise—T-shirts, posters, keychains, phone cases, hats, guitar pics …”
“To who?”
“Fans.” Ian grinned. “Okay. I might have understated all of this to you … can you name a famous singer? Old or new. Doesn’t matter. Just a famous singer.”
“I had a foster parent who used to listen to Josh Groban.” Jersey gnashed her teeth, still feeling so much anger. Dena wasn’t just a foster parent; she was Jersey’s friend.
“Okay. Well, Josh has sold millions of records, and he’s a huge star in his genre of music. Thousands of people pack venues all over the world to see him sing live in concert. And they sell merchandise of his at those concerts.”
Jersey gazed unblinkingly at Ian as he scratched his jaw.
“Well, I sing a different genre of music, but I, too, travel the world, singing to sold-out concert venues, andI have people who sell my merchandise at these concerts.”
Jersey dropped her bag to her feet and planted her fists on her hips. “Listen, Coop. Stop talking down to me. I’m not an idiot. I know what a concert is. But earlier today you didn’t say what you did or what the job was you were offering. You bought a homeless person a hot dog and offered her a job. Of course, I’m going to think something sketchy might be involved.”
Tipping her chin up, she held her breath to puff out her chest, pretending the recent revelation of Ian Cooper being a famous singer didn’t faze her one bit. Inside, Jersey’s heart hammered into her ribcage, and her mind reeled trying to figure out the day’s events.
“Coop?” His lips twitched into a tiny grin.
“It’s short for Cooper.”
“Clearly.” Ian chuckled. “But my name is Ian. Everyone calls me Ian.”
“I busted the nose and jaw of a kid named Ian. He tried to stick his c0ck in my a$$. I’ll call you Tom, Dick, or Harry, but I’m not calling you Ian because that makes me want to physically harm you.”
Ian’s eyebrows shot up his forehead as his head whipped back a few inches. “Coop it is.”
Review:
RATING:
Jewel has done it again. Given me a book with
a cryptic enough blurb, one that’s unique, full of emotions and jaw-dropping moments.
Dunno why this didn’t occur to me before. After reading this book, I now dub
Jewel queen of complicated romance. I have a few titles accorded some authors
in my head. Jewel officially now has a title in my head.
As well, after having read this book, I
realized I haven’t read Jewel in a while and it occurred to me that my Jewel
well is parched and needed refilling. Am I glad to have refilled that well with
this book? Frankly, I don’t know. It feels quite different from the past Jewel
reads, but then again, when has she given me the same stuff. I almost see this
as emo dark romance with suspense. I’m all for dark romance. And when you add
emo, it does add gravity to the emotions that’s harder to shake off.
This book has dark themes. It’s not an easy
read. I personally feel it should have content warning. It may not be for
everybody. Jersey’s past is harsh. She has a lot of rough edges, as in a lot.
Hard to love her at times even with her best intentions. She’s as human as can
be.
Next to Jersey, Ian is practically perfect.
And turns out he is, even with his greatest secret, I’d say.
One thing I’m also realizing now is the
PTSD-inducing feeling that Jewel books is evoking out of me. Not to trivialize
the real condition, but the more Jewel books I read, the more I find the need
to brace myself because I honestly don’t know what kind of emotions Jewel will
evoke out of me. From the first page, I’m already wondering when the other shoe
will drop. In this case, I was constantly wondering what moves Jersey will make. I was constantly
wondering why Ian does what he does and feels what he feels. I was constantly
wondering why other people’s motives matter as much. I was constantly wondering
why other people are being helpful. That’s how anxious she made me feel. Does
that take away something from fully enjoying the ending? A tad, but then it
gives me a good excuse to go back and see things from a different light, I
suppose.
One thing I didn’t wonder about is Jersey’s
motives. In as much as I don’t agree with half the things she said and did, I
understood it as best I could. Her past shaped her; can anyone really blame her?
The growth in her is a sight though in the end.
And as far as Ian is concerned, after all
that’s said and done, my heart simply cracked. No two ways about it… sigh…
If there’s anything, I just wished that
some things were revealed sooner to give me more time to enjoy the pleasurable
parts rather than constantly questioning things in my head. In my head, I started
asking myself if this is really romance that I’m reading. But that’s more on
me.
Jewel, what are you doing to me?!?!?!
(PS. Hope I can ask her that face-to-face
soon enough. Maybe? If the book and travel gods convince Jewel that she can
spare time for a fan in a coffee shop over cinnamon rolls. Maybe? *crossing fingers*
HAHAHAHAHA)
Enter Jewel’s giveaway for a signed paperback and swag!
About Jewel
Jewel is a free-spirited romance junkie with a quirky sense of humor.
With 10 years of flossing lectures under her belt, she took early retirement from her dental hygiene career to stay home with her three awesome boys and manage the family business.
After her best friend of nearly 30 years suggested a few books from the Contemporary Romance genre, Jewel was hooked. Devouring two and three books a week but still craving more, she decided to practice sustainable reading, AKA writing.
When she’s not donning her cape and saving the planet one tree at a time, she enjoys yoga with friends, good food with family, rock climbing with her kids, watching How I Met Your Mother reruns, and of course…heart-wrenching, tear-jerking, panty-scorching novels.
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Thanks for dropping by!
~Leftie
