Posts tagged Unscripted

Update on Spotlight and an apology

This weekend, I decided to cancel the pre-order for Spotlight, the sequel to Unscripted.

Cancelling a pre-order is a big deal to myself and to Amazon. If this happens, Amazon cancels an author’s access to pre-orders for 12 months, and I break a promise to my readers to deliver a book on a date they expected.

I hope most of you will understand, although I’m sure a few will be disappointed.

Why did I cancel?

Those who’ve followed me over the last couple of years will have seen my constant complaining about ill health and life throwing up more obstacles than usual. To be honest, I’m sick of how this makes me sound!  This May something extremely difficult and life-changing happened which basically ground everything to a halt. I don’t really want to share what this is, although some closer to me know. It’s not life threatening for me or any family member, but does mean life is now complicated.

This situation led to two months paralysis with writing and I got far behind with writing Spotlight. I struggled with the book and didn’t feel I was giving Tate and Myf the book they deserved. I switched my focus to working on the marketing and admin side of my writing business and stopped the creative side.

I managed to return to writing early July, but every time I opened Spotlight I was reminded of the events that happened in my life the last time I worked on the book. I froze.

I decided I had two choices: write and publish something I wasn’t happy with just to meet the pre-order deadline, or cancel the publication until I’m able to complete the best book I can. I chose to cancel.

Some of you will also notice I have begun a new project and might question why I didn’t finish Spotlight first. I hope the explanation above makes sense. The Four Horsemen series is a project I’ve had on my ‘to write’ list for a while and I recently found a ‘place’ for it. I need to find something to throw myself into that’s totally different to usual for a few months. I can’t fully articulate why, but what I can say is the project has reinvigorated my love of writing. I’m excited about a project for the first time in months.

I will return to and finish Spotlight later this year and re-start the new rock star project.

My life will continue to undergo a lot of changes in the next few months, but I’m walking into the second half of 2017 feeling positive and ready to move forward. I am grateful for the friends who have – and continue to – support me. Thank you.

I will still be around and hope you stick around too!

Thank you for all your continued support and again I apologise for not delivering Spotlight on time. As always, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Take care,

Lisa xx

 

Update August 2017
This is the project! Legacy reached #83 on Amazon US in the whole store!

Click on the image for more information.

Legacy twitter

Unscripted: New Excerpt Reveal

Unscripted

A second chance Hollywood romance featuring Myf from the Blue Phoenix series

Releases May 9th. Available for pre-order on Amazon

I woke this morning expecting to marry the man I loved and ended the day married to somebody else.

Unscripted Ebook

 Pre-Order Available NOW

Release Date May 9th

Jilted by her fiancé on their wedding day, actress Myf Roberts runs from the situation and takes an unscheduled trip to Vegas with rock band, Blue Phoenix.

The night wasn’t supposed to end with her married to Hollywood bad boy, Tate Daniels.

Why did it have to be Tate Daniels? The man Myf knew years ago hasn’t changed. He’s still the charming bad boy who leaves broken hearts in his wake. And Tate’s still the man Myf denies has an effect on her she’s never shaken.

Tate is no stranger to scandal and has been warned to keep his nose clean if he wants to keep his lucrative role in the newest network drama. Now he’s discovered his fake Vegas wedding isn’t so fake after all, and he has one huge problem to fix.

But Myf is the girl who filled Tate’s world six years ago. The one who got away. And this time she doesn’t get to call the shots.

When she’s cast as lead actress opposite her unwanted husband in his new show, Myf can’t refuse the career opportunity she’s waited for. But can Myf keep the sizzling chemistry between her and Tate onscreen? Or will she surrender and give her heart to the man she swore would never win?

A Hollywood, second chance romance from USA Today bestselling author, Lisa Swallow.

PRE-ORDER HERE

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Amazon AU

Amazon CA

Read on for an Excerpt

Unscripted Teaser memory blank

Tate rests against the wall again. “You know how to keep a guy hanging, don’t you? I’ve waited for your call. I need to know what you’ve decided about the marriage.”

“I was busy. Calling you was on my to-do list.”

He laughs at my pointed look. “Touché. I haven’t heard from my lawyer, so I presume you’re okay with the arrangement I suggested?”

Now. Here. Who’s in control? I pause, and we eye each other the way we did in character, as Brit and Dev, and I attempt to communicate I won’t take any of his crap. His mouth twitches in amusement.

“Myfanwy? Answer?”

I look over to the glass doors and balcony, aware I’ll possibly regret my next question. “How long do you want to stay married, Tate?”

“November?”

“That’s three months!”

“Correct.” Tate sets his glass on a table close by, then crosses his arms over his chest. “You know what confuses me?” I shake my head. “There’re hundreds of girls out there who’d give everything for a piece of Tate Daniels. Why aren’t you grabbing the opportunity to get your hands on me?”

I scoff. “Seriously, Tate? Why would my lack of interest in you be different to six years ago?”

“Come on. Based on your repeated attempts to get my clothes off in Vegas, you clearly wanted the full experience.” His eyes glint as he focuses on my mouth and moistens his lips. “I’m willing to oblige now you’re sober enough to remember.”

I step closer. Did I behave like that, or is he lying? “Not happening.”

Tate uncrosses his arms and leans into my face again, warm fingers touching my ear as he moves hair away. “One night with me, and you’ll be begging for more. And you know it.”

“Wrong.”

“Are you sure?” His lips brush my ear, and I focus on keeping my breath even. Here we go again, Tate turning up the intensity. “Because I’ve waited a long time and so have you.”

“Tate?” I ask in a low voice.

“Yes?”

“Step away so we can discuss the issue.”

He laughs as he moves back. “Step away and discuss the issue,” he mimics. “Man, you’re uptight sometimes. You do realise that makes me want you more? Always did.” He pauses, and the grin grows. “And now we have each other, finally.”

Tate doesn’t touch me, but his proximity triggers arousal, even without his suggestions. Jesus, I hate my body sometimes.

“Why are you behaving like a jerk?” I hiss.

“Because I don’t like being jerked around.” He moves his face closer to mine again. “Don’t play me. You’ll lose.”

I tighten my mouth and meet his challenge, ignoring my heart thumping a heady mix of lust and anger through my veins. We’ve been here before, many times, Tate attempting to wear me down and into his bed. He knows—we both know—the sexual spark between us arced the first time we performed on stage opposite each other, and it was almost acted on. What happens now we’re in the position again?

“If I agree to stay married until November, I have some conditions.”

“Sure.”

I don’t let go of the challenge, or succumb to him. “The marriage remains secret.”

“Suits me.”

“And you offered me money?”

Tate’s attitude lifts, eyes shining. “Cool. How much?”

“I don’t want your money.”

“You’re confusing me.”

“A million dollars for—”

He snaps his head back. “What the f*ck? I thought you said I couldn’t buy you?”

“Let me finish!” I retort. “I’ll stay married to you if you pay a million dollars to charity.”

“I don’t have a spare million dollars!”

“I bet you do. I know how much you were paid per episode for the last show you were in.”

He barks a short laugh. “Try a quarter of what they rumoured.”

“Have you spent it all?”

“No.”

“Well, then. Didn’t you say your agent wanted, and I quote, ‘someone who does charity work and shit like that’? How much do you want me to agree to this, Tate?”

He blows air into his cheeks. Ha, that smacked away his smug. “Half a million?” he offers.

“Three-quarters.”

“Half.”

I don’t know what I’ll enjoy more, his reaction to this or to what I’m about to say next. “Fine, if you agree to my other condition.”

“Which is?”

“I can pretty much guarantee this one will be the deal-breaker, and you’ll have the papers on my table tomorrow.”

“Try me.” He cocks an expectant brow.

“No sex with other girls until we’re divorced.”

Tate blinks and looks at me as if I asked him to join a cult. “Okay, you can have a million dollars for your charity.”

I laugh. “This is in addition to, not instead of, however much you donate.”

“Seriously, Myf? I can’t do that!”

“Okay. I’ll call my lawyer tomorrow and—”

As I attempt to pass him, he curls a hand around my arm. “You cannot expect me to give up sex for three months.”

“Why not?”

“Can you?”

“Easily.”

“Liar.”

I pull my arm away, and a smile snakes across my face at his reaction. All those girls at college, all the broken hearts. “I’m only asking you to be a faithful husband since you want to stay married to me. I’m helping you clean up your image, Tate.” I can’t hide the saccharin sarcasm or the fact I love I have him by the balls.

He leans forward, lips close to my ear, and my heart stutters, then starts racing three times the speed as he speaks. “Other girls? So sex with you is okay?”

The alcohol smell on his breath mingles with the spiced scent of the expensive cologne he advertises and triggers a memory from Vegas.

Tripping into Tate and hanging onto his neck as lights blur above me, the casino sounds and cigar smoke surrounding us as we’re locked in the moment. 

Another image flashes:  Tate’s lips on mine, his hands in my hair as we spin together. Or was that the room spinning? I can’t remember that or how his lips felt on mine. I have no recollection how I reacted when Tate kissed me.

And he can’t realise in this current moment I want to know. “No, and I’m not interested.”

“You’re lying again.” Jesus, I wish he’d move his mouth away from mine.

“I have no intention to get into your bed.”

“Too late, you spent the night with me already.”

“Unconscious.”

He bites down on his lip, pissing me off when I shiver. “Did you know what you were doing when you passed out?”

“Lying on the bathroom floor?”

“That was the second time. The first time you were trying to undo my pants and—”

“I was not!”

“How do you know? You don’t remember anything.” He throws me a sly smile in return. “You were very insistent.”

“Bullshit. I could hardly stand. No way would I do that. Not my style.”

“Keep telling yourself that,” he bats back. “Now you’re sober, I’ll show you exactly what you wanted to see and take part in anything you wanted to do, just say the word.”

I struggle for a smart comeback, but the flashback won’t leave my head.

“I bet you’d like my mouth on you,” he continues, rubbing fingers across his bottom lip. “Doing dirty things I’m positive you’ve thought about.”

“Stop there!” Gathering what little strength I have against the effect he’s having, I break his hold on me. “The only betting I do is playing poker in Vegas.”

“Yeah, badly. Your poker face sucked. Still does.”

I run my tongue along my teeth. “You want to bet on something? I bet you can’t lay off sex for three months.”

“Correct. But I bet that sex will be with my wife before three months is up.”

Do you want to read more?

Click to Read the First Five Chapters

PRE-ORDER HERE

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Unscripted by Lisa Swallow: Cover Reveal and Pre-Order Details

Unscripted

A second chance Hollywood romance featuring Myf from the Blue Phoenix series

I woke this morning expecting to marry the man I loved and ended the day married to somebody else.

Unscripted Ebook

 Pre-Order Available NOW

Release Date May 9th

Jilted by her fiancé on their wedding day, actress Myf Roberts runs from the situation and takes an unscheduled trip to Vegas with rock band, Blue Phoenix.

The night wasn’t supposed to end with her married to Hollywood A-lister, Tate Daniels.

Why did it have to be Tate Daniels? The man Myf knew years ago hasn’t changed. He’s still the charming bad boy who leaves broken hearts in his wake. And Tate’s still the man Myf denies has an effect on her she’s never shaken.

Tate is no stranger to scandal and has been warned to keep his nose clean if he wants to keep his lucrative role in the newest network drama. Now he’s discovered his fake Vegas wedding isn’t so fake after all, and he has one huge problem to fix.

But Myf is the girl who filled Tate’s world six years ago. The one who got away. And this time she doesn’t get to call the shots.

When she’s cast as lead actress opposite her unwanted husband in his new show, Myf can’t refuse the career opportunity she’s waited for. But can Myf keep the sizzling chemistry between her and Tate onscreen? Or will she surrender and give her heart to the man she swore would never win?

And what happens when the world discovers the celebrity secret of the year?

A Hollywood, second chance romance from USA Today bestselling author, Lisa Swallow.

PRE-ORDER HERE

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Amazon AU

Amazon CA

Read on for an Excerpt

CHAPTER ONE

My fiancé lies on the floor, blood from his nose smearing his perfect white shirt. Dylan Morgan stands over him, fist ready to strike again and mouth twisted with anger. I haven’t seen Dylan with an expression like this since I caught him beating the hell out of a boy who broke my heart when I was sixteen.

“Dylan! What the hell did you do to Miles?” I yell as I charge over to grab Dylan’s hand. The best man, Rick, kneels besides Miles, face pale. “What happened?” I ask them.

“Uh.” Miles runs a hand through his usually carefully coiffed, and now dishevelled, hair. Not only is his white shirt smeared with his blood, but it’s untucked and partially unbuttoned. “Uh…”

Dylan growls beneath his rapid breath as Miles looks at me with desperate eyes. The small sunroom at the back of Dylan’s house isn’t where I expected to find three key members of the wedding party, half an hour before the ceremony. And I definitely didn’t expect one of my best friends to smack Miles in the face.

“Dylan?” I ask, panic growing. “What’s happening? Why did you hit him?”

Dylan and Miles have never disagreed. Not once, and that’s unusual for Dylan. Dylan’s protectiveness pisses me off because it’s usually unwarranted; I wish he had a bloody sister of his own so he didn’t need to project his brotherly needs onto me.

“Tell her!” he snarls at Miles. “Tell your bride what you did and who with.”

Miles glances at Rick who refuses to look at any of us and realisation crashes from the sky, pushing me heavily to the floor.

“Did he… have you… Who? Not a bridesmaid, Miles! You fucking cliché.”

“Try the best man,” Dylan retorts.

“Don’t be stupid, Dylan!” I snap back.

But who’s the stupid one here? The last couple of months, I’ve felt pushed out by the amount of time Miles spends with Rick. Rick turned up at our apartment one day, an old friend from drama school, and they talked all night. Literally. He’s a nice guy, moved in, helped out around the apartment and never caused any issues. Miles and Rick, the biggest bromance I’ve come across evidently stepped beyond a bromance.

Since the comedy show I had a minor recurring role in was cancelled, I’ve worked hard pursuing auditions, and extras work. Miles takes my absences in his stride; he understands my determination to succeed in the crazy industry, even though he gave up trying a year ago. He now works part-time in an art gallery, doing who-knows-what because he’s not an artist. We live on the money I made the last twelve months; not big bucks, but enough.

The wedding plans steamed along, and when Dylan offered his LA place as a venue, as a wedding present, the last piece of our relationship’s puzzle clicked into place.

Wrong. Now the last puzzle piece has been jammed in, and the picture isn’t what was on the box.

I was hours away from marrying a man who doesn’t love me enough to remain faithful. I don’t give a crap about who he did this with, or why — the cheating scum part is what matters here.

“Get out,” I growl.

Miles mutely looks between Dylan and me. My skin heats with anger; he can’t even open his mouth to apologise.

“Yeah, leave or I’ll really fucking hurt you,” snarls Dylan, stepping forward.

No further prompting is needed as Miles and Rick scramble from the floor. Miles edges around Dylan and reaches out to me. “Myf…”

I stare back at the mess standing above me, at the blood streaked across his face. Dilated pupils betray his fear—of my reaction or Dylan’s fists? Both?

How is this Miles? The man I thought I’d find waiting for me in the summer sunshine, who spent months persuading me to marry him. The person who in one frozen moment reminded me why I shouldn’t believe in happily ever afters.

“Go,” I repeat in a low voice.

The pair manage to pass Dylan and I’m relieved when the next sound is the door closing and not the crack of bone. I stare at my bright red shoes, my legs stretched in front of me as I support myself with arms behind on the floor.

I fan the 50s style wedding dress around me, smoothing the skirt. I adore the beautiful white dress, the red petticoats matching the bouquet on a table outside. My talented maid of honour and best friend, Audrey, spent hours making this, and now it’s wasted.

Audrey.

I need to find Audrey.

The Californian sun shines through the window, across the polished floor to the nearby white leather sofa. Did Dylan find the pair on there?

“Were they… I mean, when you found them?” I ask, not looking up.

“You don’t want to know.”

“I do, actually.”

“Miles was…” He trails off.

“What, Dylan? Just say it.”

“No. Shit, Myf, I’m sorry.”

Oh, crap, I’m going to puke. I hold a hand over my mouth and turn look into the startling blue eyes of the man convinced he’s defending my honour. All six foot and solid muscle of the ridiculously famous Dylan Morgan, the man pursued by the world. The one with swollen knuckles and a red face.

“Huh.” My stomach continues to twist, my head not catching up with events.

“Should’ve ripped his dick off when I saw them.”

“Please, Dylan. Don’t be stupid. I think you’re in enough trouble.”

“Ha. Miles can do what he likes and that had better include staying away from me. He can report me for assault. Whatever. I don’t give a shit.”

“I bet Sky will give a shit.”

His brow dips in concern. “She’ll understand.”

I look back to my skirts and glance at the sofa. Tears refuse to fall because this isn’t happening. Can’t be.

I pull my thick brown hair from it’s carefully pinned and teased updo, and the locks drop across my shoulders, still kinked from careful styling. Dylan sits beside me, and I rest my head against him as he wraps an arm across my shoulders.

“This sucks,” I say.

“Sucks? That’s an understatement.”

“What a bastard, hey?”

“How are you so calm?”

“I’m an actress, remember?”

“You don’t need to act around me.”

“I know.” But the calm layer sitting on top of the building storm of anger and heartbreak holds. Just.  “Miles can tell everybody what happened. I’m not going out there to face everybody. I’ll find something better to do with my day.”

“Better?”

“Get very, very drunk.” I stand and smooth my skirts. Yes. “Not here though. Not LA. Not this State. I’ll spend the rest of the day somewhere else.”

“Spend the day where?”

Escape plans run through my head. “Shush, I’m thinking.”

Dylan leans back, arms outstretched and palms on the floor. “Myf, you’re being weird. Can you cry, or shout, or something?”

I’m trapped inside a strange place, watching reality happening on the outside, dizzied and desperate to run. My voice rises. “Why? I’m not wasting my energy on him. And I don’t want to stay here to be humiliated, or listen to a parade of sympathy while people whisper behind my back! I have to find Audrey and get the hell away from here, Dylan.”

Dylan stands to face me and I tuck my shaking hands beneath my arms, terrified he might try to hug me. He can’t. I can’t break down. Not yet. Not now.

“Okay. Where do you want to go?” he says in a soft voice. “I’ll make sure you get there safely.”

An escaped tear touches my cheek and I swipe it away. “Vegas.”

 

Want to read more?

Click to Read the First Five Chapters

PRE-ORDER HERE

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