Title:
Sweet Fall (Sweet Home #3)
Author: Tillie Cole
Genre: New Adult Contemporary
Publication Date: 26th August 2014
Blog Tour Organised By: Kelly @ Have Book Will Read
BLURB
From the USA Today Best Selling Sweet
Home Series, comes Sweet Fall; a tale of heartache, beating the odds
and finding strength in the most unlikeliest of places.
We
all have secrets.
Secrets
well buried.
Until
we find the one soul who makes the burden of such secrets just that little bit
easier to bear.
Lexington
"Lexi" Hart is a senior at the University of Alabama. Surrounded by
her best friends, her loving family and having fulfilled her life-long dream of
making the Crimson Tide cheer squad, everything is going exactly as she always
dreamed it would. But beneath her happy exterior, demons lurk, threatening to
jeopardize everything Lexi has worked to achieve.
When
events in her life become too much to cope with, Lexi finds herself spiraling
down into the realm of her biggest fear. Lexi falls hard, victim once again to
the only thing that can destroy her and, on the way, finds herself falling
straight into the dangerous tattooed arms of a guy from the wrong side of the
tracks.
Austin
Carillo, starting Wide Receiver for the Alabama Crimson Tide, must get picked
in this year's NFL draft. He needs it. His brothers need it. Most importantly,
his mother desperately needs it. Brought up in a world where the poor are
forgotten, the sick are left to fend for themselves and no hero miraculously
appears to pull you out of hell, Austin had no other choice but to make a
living on the wrong side of the law—until football offered Austin the break to
get his life back on track.
But
when a family tragedy drags him back into the clutches of the gang he believed
he had left far behind, Austin finds himself falling. Falling back into
criminal ways and falling deep into a suffocating darkness. Until a troubled
yet kindred spirit stumbles across his path, where Austin quickly finds he is
falling for a young woman—a young woman who might just have the power to save
him from his worst enemy: himself.
Can two
troubled souls find a lasting peace together? Or will they finally succumb to the
demons threatening to destroy them?
New Adult/Contemporary Romance novel—contains adult
content, sexual situations and mature topics. Suited for ages 17 and up.
*CAN BE READ AS A STAND-ALONE NOVEL*
Goodreads link to Sweet Fall
Amazon pre-order links:
Amazon US
EXCERPT
Walking behind Axel, I gripped his arms and wrenched him back. “Back the fuck off, Axe,” I ordered as Axel stumbled back. Looking over Axel’s shoulder, a pair of huge green eyes glanced up at me, and I stilled.
Hell. It was that cheerleader. The one I’d spoken to after the game.
I tipped my head up to the sky. Someone up there really fuckin’ hates me.
Axel was suddenly in my face. “The bitch saw too much. She needs to know she can’t talk. I gotta deal with this shit now! Can’t have no loose ends,” he hissed out, his hands fisted at his sides as the cheerleader seemed to sink her tiny body back even farther against the wall, eyes darting everywhere but on us. She was crying, for fuck sake. Her black makeup was all over her pale face.
“She won’t.” I looked at the chick. “Will you?” I practically growled. She was frozen with fear. “Fuckin’ tell him!”
More water filled her eyes and she began shaking her head. “I-I-I won’t.”
Spinning Axel around by his arm, I said, “The cops are just about here. You need to split. I’ll make sure she doesn’t squeal.” Axel spit on the ground at her feet before pushing past me, but not before I grabbed his bicep again, my mouth at his ear. “You and me need to talk. You’ve fucked up, brother—Levi dealing for the crew, bringing this to my school, everything! I’m not gonna let this shit go.”
Scoffing a laugh at my threat, Axel ripped his arm from my hand and marched off in the direction of the parking lot. I watched him go, and the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. I wasn’t getting a good feeling about something. Like some big fuckin’ omen was following my brothers. It was obvious Axel was getting in deeper with the crew, moving up, getting in tighter with Gio, and by the looks of things, dragging Levi with him.
Dragging him straight into hell.
A shuffling sound from behind me pulled my attention.
Shit. The chick. I’d almost forgotten about her.
Just as I turned around, I caught her edging away, trying to make her escape. That is until she saw me watching and froze, like a damn deer caught in headlights. I had to sort this shit quick, protect my family. No matter the cost.
“What the fuck did you see?” I snapped coldly.
“N-nothing, I saw nothing…” she whispered, all huge eyes on her tiny face. She must have only been about five feet flat.
“You’re lying,” I said coldly.
“No… really…” she whispered. I could see her pulse slamming in her slim neck.
What the fuck was she doing here in the quad, on her own, at this time of night anyway? Only reason I was even lifting weights this late was because Rome and me always put in extra sessions, way more than anyone else.
I pushed my chest against her body and heard a short sharp inhale of breath. “You saw my brother. What was he doing? And don’t fuckin’ lie.”
I knew she knew what was going down, of course, but I needed her so fearful of me that she wouldn’t say shit even to her closest friends. I had to make sure she kept her mouth shut. Couldn’t go spreading rumors around campus.
With a slump of her shoulders, I saw the fight leave her body. “Drugs. I think he was selling drugs.” She sighed in defeat. “No. I know he was selling drugs.”
Breathing in through my nose, I tipped my head back.
ABOUT TILLIE COLE
Tillie Cole is a Northern girl through and
through. She originates from a place called Teesside on that little but
awesomely sunny (okay I exaggerate) Isle called Great Britain. She was brought
up surrounded by her English rose mother -- a farmer's daughter, her crazy
Scottish father, a savagely sarcastic sister and a multitude of rescue animals
and horses.
GIVEAWAY
Tillie
is giving away a Kindle Fire HDX and this is open internationally
5 'Fuckin' A' Stars
This isn't anyone's typical romance. It's dark and disturbing, depicting real life themes portrayed through two young adults fighting for control over their lives. Both in different ways and handling and dealing with different issues.
Sometimes a sliver of light is like a beacon in the darkest of times.
This statement seems cliched, doesn't it? Odd, deja vue ish, however, oddly enough. it hit the target dead on!. Two young adults, meeting in the most unlikely and dangerous of circumstances, each trying to hold on to any semblance of normalcy and still keep up appearances.
A boy from the wrong side of town, trailer trash and fighting against the odds, attempting to finally escape the hold of the Heighters, the local gang. A miracle, a saviour, call it what you may, his saving grace, and his ability to run, got him out. Now a member of the U of A football team. Austin Carillo, Wide Receiver, number 83, a friend, a brother, a son. A way out is all he's looking for, a way to become better than the life he was given. He will not be able to save everyone, until he can save himself first.
Lexington Hart, a once lively, lovely young woman, a cheerleader with an amazing family- strong, supportive and filled with love- has allowed some simple words to wreck havoc on her - emotionally and physically. Now a shell of who she once was, Lexi has turned herself over to the darkness. Choosing to hide behind a facade. That deceitful inner voice which such saccharine sweetness and hidden agendas, has brought Lexi to the brink of death once before. He's threatening to do it again. Is Lexi strong enough to withstand the darkness this time?? Will she succumb to this eating disorder.
Both Lexi and Austin live their lives hiding from the truth of themselves and others. Hiding and tucking their secrets away neatly. They are scarred in one way or the other. Somehow and in someway, they are drawn to the pain and suffering within each other.
"We all have secrets, Austin. Some people's are bigger than others, that's all."
"So you see, Pix, I have scars too. It's just mine are on the outside where everyone can see."
Lexi and Austin both find something in each other than makes coping and handling everyday life a little bit easier. Whilst they are both hiding crippling secrets, they both fight and support each other in ways that no one else could. What started off as a way of self preservation, turned into something more.... something that neither wanted, but definitely needed.
"So you gonna meet me tomorrow night?" he said, not meeting my eyes.
Shock filled my every cell. "Meet you tomorrow night?"
"Yeah. You. Me. Out. Away from here. Alone."
I took a huge swallow and said, "Like... Like a date or something?"
Austin froze and his gaze narrowed on mine.
"Like us talking more. Just you and me, on our own... like we did tonight. Not a fuckin' date. I don't date."
I couldn't help but chuckle a little here. Bad ass exterior with a soft heart, Austin Carillo turns the tables on his 'tougher than nails' persona once again.
All anyone ever saw when they looked at me was the white trash ex-gang member from the Heighter famed trailer park across town.
But not her.
But not her.
Fuck knows why, but Pix only ever saw more.
Boyfriend/girlfriend titles had no place among the truly fucked up. Just that there was someone else like you, someone to understand.
Austin and Lexi continued to fight hard to keep up appearances. Austin's fighting to save his family, while still attempting to not give up his NFL dream. He's so close but everything starts to come crashing down. Lexi's inner voice has taken over. After Austin's rejection, she has finally succumbed to becoming "better."
This is where my heart breaks even more.
Such sadness and determination erupts from Austin and Lexi. Another chance meeting after Lexi is hospitalized, Austin realizes that Lexi is all he needs. She's the only one that has ever made life easier to bear even in the darkest of times.
"Ti amo Pix. Ti amo tantissimo."
"You... you love me?" I asked, still in shock. Austin nodded.
"More than the stars in the sky."
Tillie Cole is one of those amazing authors that can make you smile and find a silver lining even in the darkest of times. This series is one that is near and dear to my heart. I loved Rome and Molly's story, and believe me, she didn't disappoint with Austin and Lexi's own. It's definitely different and darker, but just as phenomenal. Tillie's ability to depict and portray varying story lines is absolutely fantastic. I loved that Lexi and Austin found solace in each other, and that their story wasn't sexual. It made me love them both even more.
*ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review* Thanks!!!
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