A New Release with Heart

[CJ England]

Hey all,

This is my day to blog and my topic is one that every woman should be aware of. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, a rape occurs every two and a half minutes. Seventy-three percent are done by a non-stranger, yet statistics say only forty-one percent are actually reported. Fear of reprisal or embarrassment, are thought to be the main reasons behind this. Educating the public about the truth behind rape, as well as providing counseling for those who are victimized, are ways to change these frightening statistics.

My November release, Second Chances: Waiting in the Wings deals with what is popularly known as “DATE RAPE”. While Callie and Jordon’s case may have been fictional, there are so many stories that aren’t. Women must be so careful these days, especially in a dating situation. And they must do what the can to protect themselves.

Here are several ways help you make sure you aren’t one of the statistics.

1. Avoid getting drunk at parties. Alcohol lessens inhibitions and decreases your facility for common sense, meaning you are more likely to do things you wouldn't do while sober. It's best to stay sober and aware, especially with people you barely know.
2. Watch your drink at all times, even if it is soda. In fact, watch it being made. Keep it with you at all times, even in the bathroom. Date rape drugs like rohypnol ("roofies"), gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), and ketamine can easily be mixed into drinks when you are not looking. Such drugs can cause you to black out.
3. Once you lose sight of your drink or put it down, then don't pick it up again. You don't know what happened to it while you were gone but someone who may or may not have been watching you and your drink would know.
4. Avoid going into secluded areas with your date until you trust him/her. Go on double dates until you feel comfortable being alone with your boyfriend/girlfriend.
5. Date people you know and have a history with, as in you know them or grew up with.
6. Be clear on what you want from your relationship. If you don't know what you want, ask the person you're seeing to give you some time to figure things out. Don't play around, flirt, give them signs that you don't feel, etc. Do not let anyone pressure you into doing anything you do not feel is right.
7. Avoid being alone with anyone who makes you uncomfortable. Your instincts will tell you which situations to remove yourself from.
8. If you live alone, only use your first initial and your last name on your mailbox.
9. Take a self-defense course for women and learn how to resist an assailant.
10. Keep in mind that any date can turn into a date rape.

As one of my readers mentioned, this is a must read book for every woman, for themselves and their daughters. The only way we can break this horrible chain of violence is to educate and protect ourselves. To help with this, I will be donating 50 % of my author royalties from this book, to RAINN, Rape Abuse Incest National Network, one of the largest and most visible anti-sexual assault organizations in the country. It is my hope, that in this small way, I can make a difference. For more information about RAINN please go to http://www.rainn.org/.

Now let’s take a closer look at my November release. I hope you all enjoy the blurb and excerpt...

Blessings to all!

* * *

Blue Ribbon Favorite Award and 5 Blue Ribbons of Romance Junkies - Reviewed by Amanda

SECOND CHANCES: WAITING IN THE WINGS is a poignant, emotional and even sometimes harsh look at the world involving rape and the drugs that help enable this abominable behavior in people. Two innocent lives are forever changed and there's no going back to right the wrongs in this incredibly moving tale. I've read a lot of stories in my time of reviewing that have to do with rape, most of them harsh and cruel. I can honestly say that CJ England has interwoven both the cruelty and the brutality of rape with a hint of romance. I curtsy to you, Ms. England, for a supreme job on this subject matter and for everything you are attempting to do to draw attention to this matter.

* * *

Recommended Read and 5 Klovers from CK2S Kwips and Kritiques – Reviewed by Anne

Only CJ England could write this story. She sensitively addresses an issue that is perhaps one of the most frightening to women- the issue of rape. SECOND CHANCES: WAITING IN THE WINGS is a story that all should read. CJ England has written her most powerful story to date. Keep your box of Kleenex handy, however, as the impact of this story is absolutely gut wrenching. .

* * *

5 out of 5 Stars from Ecataromance Sensual – Reviewed by Amelia

With her incomparable writing abilities, CJ England touches the hearts of readers with her always insightful stories overflowing with realism. In the first book of her SECOND CHANCES series, one will be nearly overwhelmed by the multitude of emotions flowing from almost every page. From moments of anguish to joy to hope, valid feelings are relentlessly conveyed by the characters... I don’t know when I have been inundated by so many tangible emotions while reading, as each page often brought a new feeling into the equation.

A night of betrayal, passion and pain turns lives upside down. Two people must learn to trust if they want a second chance at love.

Buy the E-book at http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/torrid/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=242 $6.99

For an Autographed Print copy, contact CJ at [e-mail] $14.95 plus S&H

Send me your receipt and get a free thank you gift!

What if one moment of unexpected passion turned into a night you that would haunt you forever? Would you hide what happened from the world. or bring it out into the open? And what if it wasn't only you who was affected?

When Callie Jacobs meets country music sensation Jordon Gallegher at a show she's working, the mutual attraction between the two make sparks fly. But when she awakens the next morning, a victim of a new date rape drug, her confidence in him is badly shaken. Then she finds that the ramifications of their tryst are long lasting.

When Callie confronts Jordon with his actions, his explanation isn't what she expects. What he then asks of her makes her question her own beliefs.

Will Callie and Jordon be able to sort through the betrayal and lies to find the truth? Will they ever be able to trust each other enough to have a second chance at love?

*Excerpt*

“Dance with me.”

“What?”

“You heard me, dance with me. It’s one of ours. Since I can’t take you to the bus, I’ll pretend I’m playing for you here and I’ll get to put my arms around you.” When Callie just stared at him, he put a mocking smile on his face. “All these people means you’re perfectly safe. Come on honey. Don’t be a coward.”

“I’m not afraid,” Callie said automatically as she got to her feet. With a grin of triumph, Jordon took her hand and led her out to the dance floor. Pulling her against him, he almost groaned aloud at the feel of her soft body against his.

Callie moved on auto pilot as Jordon’s arms slid around hers. He held her tightly against him, so that she could feel every line of his strong body next to hers. He slid his hand down to the small of her back and pressed her towards him. She gulped once, as he moved slowly against her and she could feel the hard line of his erection against her belly.

For the first time in her life, she wondered what it would be like to allow a man to touch her the way her body was screaming for. He felt so right. If only he wasn’t who he was. She closed her eyes. Why couldn’t she feel this way about someone who would be a part of her life tomorrow … and the next day. Why did it have to be someone like … “Jordon,” she whispered, beginning to tremble.

Jordon held his breath. He felt Callie trembling against him and it took everything he had not to sweep her up and take her out to the bus. The fact that they had gotten to each other so fast made him shake his head in wonder. Damn, if Callie wasn’t so stubborn, they could be making love right now, not torturing each other. He wanted to be in her, feeling her arms around him as he drove into her. She would feel perfect. He knew it.

“Girl, you are something,” he said shakily, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. Closing his own eyes, he just held her, knowing that unless she changed her mind, this was as close as he would get to her.

Brandon watched them from the shadows. The little bitch was asking for it, pressing herself against Jordon like that. Jordon probably had a hard on like a steel pipe the way she was rubbing against him. Cock tease. They were all the same. Playing hard to get and then walking away. His boy didn’t deserve that. He narrowed his eyes. He was Jordon’s manager, and it was his job to make sure that he stayed happy. If Jordon wasn’t happy, then the tour could go down the tubes, and that couldn’t happen. And if he was able to get back at the slut for the comments she’d made, well that was just gravy.

No one noticed when Brandon slipped out the door and then back in a few minutes later. No one noticed when he sidled up to the table and poured a few drops of liquid into Callie’s beer.

“Take that, bitch. You’re his now.” Brandon smiled, as he sauntered back into the shadows.

When the music stopped, it took Jordon a few seconds to pull away from Callie. He didn’t want to let her go. The bulge in his pants testified to that and he knew she was as aware of that as he was. Finally he stepped back, raising her face so he could look at her.

“You okay?” he asked, clearing his throat shakily.

“I don’t know,” Callie answered her eyes as otherworldly as they had been when she talked about her dreams. She blushed and tried to turn her head away, but Jordon wouldn’t let her.

“Oh, no you don’t,” he exclaimed. “Truth … remember?”

“I can’t look at you,” she muttered softly, her eyes skittering around, not knowing where to look.

Jordon put his arm around her and led her back to the table. “Here have a drink,” he said, pressing the cold beer into her hands. Callie drank thirstily, but still wouldn’t meet his eyes.

Okay, he thought, the matter of fact approach. “So, you know you give me a hard on. It’s not the first time.”

Callie choked on her beer. Her eyes flew up to meet his, widening at the humor she saw on his face. “Don’t talk about it. It’s … it’s …”

“Hard … to do?” Jordon asked innocently. He frowned in apparent concern as Callie choked again.

“Embarrassing,” she wheezed, finally getting her breath.

“For you or for me?” Jordon wanted to know.

Callie threw up her hands. “You’re impossible!” She took another cautious sip of beer to soothe her raw throat.

“No, I’m just horny.” Jordon grinned at her unrepentantly. “Look, you are a beautiful woman who I’m damn attracted to. If I didn’t get a hard on, I’d be worried.”

“Not so loud…” she hissed, looking around carefully. “Someone might hear.”

“So I guess writing a song about this is out … huh?”

Callie laughed, her head swimming a little. He was so attractive and his slightly crooked smile was very sexy. If only … “No hard on songs, promise?”

Jordon laughed; delighted that she was comfortable enough to joke about it now. “I promise. No hard on songs for you.” He reached over and cupped her face in one hand, his eyes darkening a little. “Your song would be different … sweeter. Definitely erotic though.”

Face heating, Callie took another gulp of beer. “You do like to embarrass me, don’t you?”

“No baby,” Jordon murmured. “I’d like to do something else entirely to you.”

Callie looked up at him mutely. His face seemed very far away, even though she knew he was sitting right in front of her. She shook her head to clear it. “Jordon?”

Jordon stared at her, his breathing quickening. Her eyes were different. Soft and dreamy now, he could see something in them he hadn’t seen before. Was it desire? Christ, he hoped it was, because he was about ready to explode. He reached for his beer, to cool off, but he had downed it like a man dying of thirst, when they had gotten back to the table.

He grabbed Callie’s. “Can I have this?” Callie nodded slowly, never taking her eyes off him. Jordon tossed the rest of her beer down, frowning that there was only a couple inches left in the bottle.

Another slow song began to play. Quickly Jordon pulled Callie into his arms where she swayed against him. He held her tightly against him, praying that she would stay in the mood.

“Honey,” he murmured, as he kissed her soft ear. “You make me burn.” His body tightened in a glorious rush as she moaned softly in his ear. He felt her lips press against his throat. “Oh, God,” was all he could say. Fighting for control, he moved in a circle, holding her against him.

Callie felt … odd. First, seeing Jordon like he was very far away. Then, the feeling had changed and her limbs had grown heavy. Now, for the life of her she couldn’t make herself say anything. Jordon pulled her up and begin to dance with her again. The feeling of his body was just as wonderful as it had been before, but she couldn’t respond. When he spoke to her, soft sexy things, she wanted to say something back, but all she could do was moan. She felt like she was drunk, her body out of her control, but she knew better. Her mind was woozy, but she knew she had only had two beers. She shouldn’t be feeling this way.

What was going on? Callie began to get frightened, but nothing she felt was making itself known in her body. She wanted to ask Jordon for help, but she couldn’t talk, couldn’t move, her body as unresponsive to her minds directive as if she was a corpse.

Jordon wondered just how much more of this he could take. Callie draped around him like a vine, her lips pressing against his throat, his chest, wherever they happened to land. The change in her was making him light headed, his own limbs sluggish as he held her. Would she come to the bus with him now? He shook his head. She wasn’t a tease. If she was responding this way, she must have changed her mind.

Fiercely aroused, Jordon pulled back and took Callie’s face in his hands. “I want you,” he said baldly, watching her slumberous eyes as he spoke. He thought he saw them darken before they closed and her head tipped back. “Oh, baby,” he said roughly, before slanting his mouth over hers.

Callie was almost senseless when Jordon kissed her. What he had taken for permission, was in fact a last flutter of consciousness. But when his lip touched hers, searing them with the heat of his passion, Callie struggled back through the layers of thick clouds that surrounded her. She knew he was kissing her. In fact a part of her, a very distant part was enjoying it. She wished for just a moment that that part of her was closer, so she would know what being kissed by Jordon was like.

What she was … was frightened. Something was very wrong and there was nothing she could do to stop it. Surely, someone could tell that she was in trouble. Jordon must be able to. But he continued to kiss her, muttering dark, sexy words that barely made sense to her.

Jordon released Callie, taking in huge gulps of air. “God almighty,” he breathed. “That nearly got out of hand.” He took no notice of the people watching curiously or of the big man in the corner ready to jump him if Callie even squeaked in outrage. He didn’t see Brandon, snickering as he nursed his own drink. All he saw were Callie’s kiss swollen lips. All he felt was the pounding of her heart and the throbbing of his own body.

“Come out to my bus with me Callie,” he touched her face gently as he spoke. “I’ll make it good for you, I swear.” When he released Callie’s face, her head fell forward and then back in a sharp nod. He was so surprised, he almost dropped her, but the heat in his blood took over. “You won’t be sorry, baby,” he said pressing swift kisses all over her face. “I promise you. This will be a night you’ll never forget.”

End of Excerpt

Buy the E-book at http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/torrid/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=242 $6.99

For an Autographed Print copy, contact CJ at [e-mail] $14.95 plus S&H

Send me your receipt and get a free thank you gift!

CJ England The Peacekeeper Journals II: The Gates of Life
http://cjengland.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CJsaysFollowYourDreams/