Open Your Eyes
Jani Kay
Adult Contemporary
Romance Novel
Second chances? Twisted love
triangle? Hot steamy sex? Hell YES!
Warning: 18+ Contains sex scenes and explicit language
Synopsis
Shattered and disillusioned after separating from her
domineering husband, all Natalie wants, is a peaceful Christmas vacation in New
York City, with her 21 year old daughter, Olivia. Uncomplicated. No pressure.
Fun.
What she didn’t expect, was meeting a dangerously handsome
stranger in an art gallery. He is charming, sexy as hell, and does funny things
to her insides. Her frozen heart slowly melts as he seduces her, awakening her
deepest desires, showing her that the kind of love she craves is very possible.
She wants him as much as he wants her.
Battling his demons from the past, famous photographer
Nicholas Gallagher has successfully evaded serious relationships, earning him
the title of the world’s most eligible bachelor. But from the moment he lays
eyes on Natalie, she stirs something in him. Compelled to chase the sadness
from her vivid blue eyes, Nick is captivated by the spirited Australian beauty.
Hot romance.
Steamy sex.
Absolute perfection.
Until Natalie gets a call from home – one she can’t
ignore. In a fateful moment the game
changes and throws her life into chaos. Gabriel, her jealous ex, wants her
back. Two powerful men want her. She is forced to make a choice that will tear
her apart.
Will Natalie make the right choice? Will she
finally find her soul mate, the one person who can look into her eyes and see
deep into her soul, everything she is and everything she desires… will she
finally open her eyes?
A Stand-alone Novel
What reviewers have to say about Open Your Eyes:
Holy Crap!! ~ 5
Stars ~ K. Greer
“What a book! Let me just say the epilogue blew me away!!!!!
Blows my mind!
Sit Down, Strap In And Hold On Tight - Truly An
Emotional Ride! ~ 5 Stars ~Lacstines
Amazing, hard to put down story. This was an excellent read
which had you on an emotional rollercoaster. The epilogue truly did me in. A
love story if I ever read one.
Heartbreaking Love Story. ~ 5
Stars ~ M. Gerena
“Open your Eyes was an amazing good read from the beginning
to the end! I was so emotionally and mentally invested in the storyline that I
experienced sleep deprivation.”
Seriously…Open Your Eyes
& Read It! ~ 5
Stars ~ Torrie
“I am SOOOOO glad that I took the time to read this book. I
loved the story and I loved, loved, loved the ending. I would recommend this to
anyone who asks!!”
Truly, Madly, Deeply !
~ 5 Stars ~ R. Brannon
The ups and downs of the book had me screaming and turning
the pages quicker and quicker. Absolutely loved this read and I think a lot of
woman can relate to Natalie. Great read, it will not disappoint.
Touching!! ~ 5 Stars ~ S.
Bachovin
“Loved this book. So touching. Made me cry. Can't wait to
read more from this author.”
Author Bio
Jani has been married for a long time to a special man, and
her two children and their partners are the sunshine in her life. She is a
voracious reader and would spend her last dollar on a book - always fascinated that
for the mere price of a book, she can escape her world for a while and see
through someone else's eyes.
Besides reading, her favorite 'thing' is traveling - she has traveled the
world, learning about the ways people live and has come to the realization that
no matter where we live, we all ultimately want the same things. Her hobby -
Scrapbooking - keeps her up till way after midnight and her usual subjects are
her family and her travels.
Ever since she can remember, Jani wanted to
write stories about people, about their lives and loves. Relationships and
Happiness - arguably the most difficult things to master in life and yet
exactly what everyone ultimately desires (in her humble opinion).
Author Links
Purchase Links
Interview with Jani Kay
What is it that you
enjoy about writing fiction?
When I write I go into a different world. It is the purest form
of escape. Time stands still. All my senses are engaged. I am fully alive, but in
an alternative universe. It is a feeling unlike any other. Addictive.
I love peeling back the layers and discovering all that is
hidden beneath the surface of the book characters. I want to keep digging till
I get to the very core of them – of what makes them tick, their inner desires,
their conflicts and fears - searching into their very soul.
I am an observer of people and their behaviours; you will
always find me in the back corner of a café, sipping a latte, watching people,
imagining what goes on in their lives.
When did you first know
you wanted to become a writer?
My childhood dream was to be a writer - I wrote elaborate
stories with well-developed plots and characters. I told my younger brothers
stories I made up as I went, every night before bed. I have a VERY active
imagination... My writing style is the same – I am what is known as a ‘pantser’
- weaving stories by the seat of my pants, making it up as I go, letting the
characters speak for themselves. I merely record the story they show me in a
movie in my head.
As a teenager I spent school vacations reading. I would
start a book in the morning and only close my eyes when done at around 3 am,
sleep a bit, wake and start the next book... I have always been a voracious
reader...
I would spend my last dollar on a book. Reading gives
insight into another human being’s thoughts, expands your mind - all for the
small price of a book – often less than the cost of a coffee. Amazing!
What made you write
your first book?
Fear of failure is the biggest stumbling block to realising
our dreams. All my life up until last year, I waited, thinking I had to write
something really profound. Then one day I had an AHA moment - I realised I
didn’t need to, I could simply write what I enjoyed and connected with - steamy
adult romance... seems there are an awful lot of people who like reading it...
I realised that time is fleeting, that I had do it NOW - not
waiting any longer to realise my dreams. I had to open my eyes to the
possibilities. I didn’t want to die with regrets of never having the courage to
follow my passion of writing.
Tell us about ‘Open
Your Eyes’ – your début novel.
I started writing Open Your Eyes in the air, flying between
Australia and New York in January 2013. It's a very long flight…
I’d just been to New York for New Year – to see the ball
drop in Times Square with my daughter – something on our ‘bucket list’. So a
big part of the story plays off in New York.
In Open Your Eyes, Natalie is a disillusioned
forty year old woman who is in search of inner peace and tranquillity; she
wants to escape her problems by having a fun and relaxing vacation in NYC with
her feisty daughter, Olivia. No pressure, no worries, no complications…
Natalie believes in second chances in spite of her demons. Separated
from domineering Gabriel – whose cruel and jealous ways hurt her deeply – she
still hopes for reconciliation for her family’s sake.
However, her world is turned upside down when she
unexpectedly meets a charming, seductive bachelor – the famous photographer Nicholas
Gallagher - who awakens her latent desires and sweeps her off her feet in a
delicious holiday romance.
Just as Natalie starts falling for Nick, Fate steps in. Caught
up in a heart wrenching love triangle, she is forced to make a difficult
choice. Gabriel is her first love, the man whose name and children she bears. Nick
truly sees her, deep into her soul. Both men want her. Who will she choose? Because
above all, Natalie wants a second chance at love and happiness.
So one of the issues we explore in ‘Open Your Eyes’ is how
she deals with her search for her true soul mate. Is it ever too late; are we
ever too old to stop yearning for that special connection?
Why is ‘Open Your
Eyes’ based on mature adults?
As a voracious ‘more mature’ reader, I have read a lot of
contemporary romances, particularly all the latest best-selling romances. And
although I enjoyed reading them, I sometimes couldn’t quite connect as much
with the very young heroines. I wanted to read about someone I could identify
with myself, a heroine who had a bit of life experience, who had been through
ups and downs over a few decades of life.
Natalie is forty, experienced and mature, but she still has
a LOT of living left in her. So we follow her journey in ‘Open Your Eyes’. And
yes, sex is still very hot and steamy at that age!! Probably even better, as
she is in the prime of her life...
…from Chapter 7
Nick must have sensed that I was
awake. He slowly opened his eyes, confused for a few seconds before remembering
where he was. He caught me in the act of staring at him, drawing in a short
sharp breath when he looked down at me, straight into my eyes. A wicked grin
spread over his face as he turned onto his side and hauled me even closer,
encaging me with both his arms.
“What a lovely way to wake up,” he whispered
as he planted a kiss in my hair. His big hand rubbed up my back leisurely, as
if he was savoring the moment, his palm applying just the right amount of
pressure to my spine to make me want to purr. In spite of trying to suppress
it, a small moan escaped my lips as he reached my neck and gently traced up it
with his fingers, till his hand disappeared into my hair. Very gently, he
massaged the base of my scalp till I dug my forehead into his chest, the simple
touch sending ripples of pleasure through my already aroused body.
Good God! I barely knew the man,
but his touch alone could ignite a fire in my belly of a magnitude I had never
experienced before. If he could get this kind of toe-curling reaction from me
by merely massaging my neck, what would making love with him do to me?
He gently tugged a fist full of
my hair, raising my face up to his. I had closed my eyes, not wanting him to
see the desire burning deep within me. My heart pounded in my chest as I tried
desperately to keep my breathing even.
“Open your eyes. Look at me,” he
whispered. I obeyed, even though it would expose my deepest feelings, slowly
meeting his intense gaze. I gasped at the yearning in his eyes. My eyes melted
into his as he searched my soul, seeing deeper than anyone ever had.
“Natalie,” he groaned softly as
his head dipped and his lips covered mine. The kiss was gentle at first, a
meeting of mouths and tasting one another. “So sweet,” he murmured against my
mouth, then let his tongue slide along my lips, till I parted my mouth to let
him slip in. He tasted of cheesecake and sleep…and passion and fire. His silky
tongue glided along mine, a mingling of breaths and raw desire.
His hand moved down my back to
cup my bottom and pull me against his body, closing the gap between us. So far
I had carefully avoided touching in intimate places, much like a virgin in
denial of the awakening of her body.
His arousal pushed into my
belly, and I let out a gasp that he swallowed quickly with his mouth. My pulse
quickened at the feel of his hard length throbbing against me, only the fabric
of our clothing between us. The warm liquid pooling between my legs begged for
more of him, but I lay there, unable to move, stunned that this man so
obviously wanted me. I was getting more and more out of my depth with every
passing moment. I wanted him, yet I wasn’t sure how to respond.
I’d never been a one-night stand
type of girl. And I definitely didn’t do sex on a first date. Hell, this wasn’t
even supposed to be a date. And he was virtually a stranger. Yet the want – the
longing – in my belly overwhelmed my senses. I wanted to rub up against his
erection; I wanted to kiss him till I was breathless. But I just lay there,
dumbstruck.
“Natalie?”
I screwed my eyes shut.
“I want you, Natalie. God, how I want you…” He
thrust his pelvis against my stomach, grinding his steel hard length into me to
affirm his words. “But I would never take you now. Not like this.”
His words had a strange effect
on me – calming and evoking feelings of deep trust.
“I sense your fear, my little
one, why are you so afraid?” His husky voice soothed me over. How could I tell
him? Words weren’t enough.
“Open your eyes so I can see
what you’re feeling. It's OK, I won’t hurt you.” Concern laced his voice. His
hand cupped my chin, his thumb gently caressing my lips. I could drown in his
touch alone.
My lids were heavy. Heavy with
desire and pain and fear.
“Open, Natalie,” he coaxed so
gently I couldn’t refuse.
I forced my eyes to open, my
lids lifting slowly, trying to force my gaze to be neutral. But the moment I
looked into his – soft and gentle – all the emotions came rushing back. This
man could look deep into my soul without me uttering a word.
A sigh of relief escaped his
lips. “You want me too…” he breathed as a wicked, wicked grin spread over his
lips.
He must have read the confusion
in my eyes. “For a moment there I thought you didn’t want me, little one. But
your eyes tell me everything I need to know.”
The pressure from his thumb
increased on my lips, and as a small gasp escaped, he pushed his thumb into my
mouth. I sucked his thumb hungrily, my groin throbbing with want.
“Ahh, God,” he groaned. “What
you do to me…” He took my hand in his and slipped it between us, resting my
palm on his erection, which had grown even harder and longer as I touched it.
“I want you.” I stroked his length lovingly, my thumb rubbing over the tip
roughly, sucking his thumb harder and harder.
He pulled his thumb from my mouth
and instantly replaced it with a warm wet kiss, his tongue wild, stroking,
teasing, hot and wet.
His hands slipped under my top,
finding my breasts like missiles, pushing my bra cups up. “You feel so good,”
he moaned softly, “a perfect handful,” as his thumbs rolled and pinched my
aching nipples. His words turned me on even more, the heat between my legs
rising, my panties wet with want.
I slung my leg over his,
pressing my body as close to his as I could get it, rubbing my mound against
his throbbing erection, desperate for the friction, pushing him closer with my
leg on his ass. It was driving me wild, in spite of the barrier of clothing
between us.
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