Broken Build (46 page)
Jen blinked back tears. “Oh, dear God. He’s so perfect.”
“He’s like his father, isn’t he?” Dave tickled her face and beamed for a compliment.
“Oh, stop it!” She swatted at him. But one thing was true. Jen was overwhelmed with love for this precious little one and his “perfect” father.
Dave kissed her again. “I love you, Jen.”
“I don’t know if I could ever be happier,” she whispered.
Dave fixed his warm grey eyes on her. “That’s what you said on our wedding night.”
Tears of joy trailed down her face. Their son suckled contently. Nothing had prepared her for the tug this little one had on her heart. She stroked his fuzzy head. “I can’t believe how much has changed in a year.”
“I know. I used to hate November, and now it’s my favorite month.” He threaded his fingers through her hair. “We fell in love and found Emily and Alex.”
“And now we have our baby, our own little Jewell.” She clasped Dave’s hand, their fingers intertwined in a lovers’ hold. “I love you so much.”
“Me, too.” Dave embraced her and the baby. “Our family is complete, for now.”
“W-what? You want more?”
“Of course.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “But I’ll let you rest a bit. What will you name him?”
She glanced at Dave sideways. “What did you have in mind, Mr. Jewell?”
“Guess.” His eyes sparkled as he rocked on the bed, confident.
“I… think…” She swirled her finger over the baby’s head. “I’ll call you Mathew.”
“What?” Dave’s mouth popped open.
“Mathew David Jewell.”
Psalm 51:8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
THE END
I sincerely hope you enjoyed Broken Build. Thank you for reading. You’ll warm my heart with an honest and thoughtful review at
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Other books by Rachelle Ayala:
Michal’s Window (A Novel: King David’s First Wife)
Your Daily Bible Verse: 366 Verses Correlated by Month and Day
Coming in 2013: Hidden Under Her Heart, contemporary women’s fiction.
Acknowledgments
Cover Art by Robin Ludwig of Robin Ludwig Designs Inc.
Edited by Cherie Reich of Surrounded by Books Publishing
Many thanks to my wonderful critique partners at CritiqueCircle.com who challenged my writing and loyally critted me from week to week without fail:
Melisa Hamling
Annamaria Bazzi
Lucie Ulrich
Aminah Grefer
Dawn Albright
Carla Barber
“Mooderino”
Stefanie Pristavu
Genna Collins
Christine Raggio
Chantel Rhondeau
Helen Elliston
Jennifer Comeaux
My beta readers were the best! They pointed out murky areas and studded their feedback with valuable reactions. Thanks and appreciation go to:
Lori
Stefanie
Roopa
Rebecca
Veena
Melisa
Flara
Cate
Martha
Christine
Brittney
Lauren
Brandi
Hiral
Holly
Alexandrea
Also by Rachelle Ayala—Bestseller Historical Romance and Family Saga, available at
Amazon.com
It’s not easy being a woman, least of all princess of Israel. Married as a prize, abandoned as a wife, Michal fights to claim her rightful spot next to King David, the man she loves with all her heart.
Separated by war, concubines, and kingdom politics, Michal embarks on a journey of adventure and heartache where she is befriended by a goddess-worshipping priestess and tempted by a Philistine prince.
From reading scrolls high atop the palace walls to seduction with a henna-painted body, Michal is not your ordinary Bible heroine. Join her in Michal’s Window and let her delight you with her courage, devotion, and outrageous passion in her relentless drive to win back her husband.
WHAT READERS SAY:
“So, once I let the modern feminist inside of me relax, I realized how timely her story is, because, sadly, many of the things she has to deal with are things that women still face today.”
“As a woman, every emotion I've ever had was weaved in Michal, causing me to cheer for this unsung heroine.”
“From the first page, a pretty grotesque first page, but just the way I like it, the author's skills were already made known. With the first sentence, she grabbed the readers attention, and from there will take you on a journey you will truly never, ever forget!”
“The author creates a plausible fictional account of Michal, used as a pawn by her father, abandoned for years by her lawful husband, David, and loved by two other men. She's passionate--oh those steamy romance scenes--but she's flawed.”
“Living in Israel, I'm familiar with this part of the history, still after reading Michal's Window, I feel I'd learned my people's history a great deal better!”
“As a man, I found the story gave me some insight into the mind of a woman, something that has been elusive most of my life and I dare say, most any man's life. Rachelle draws wonderful 'word pictures' that allows the reader to see, hear, feel, taste and smell the scenes.”
“The story opens from the third person perspective, depicting a scene of violence. This technique was effective, because it notified readers that this Bible tale wasn’t just a romance for women regarding Michal. It put the spotlight squarely on this manly figure, David and opened up a big plot, before shifting to Michal’s first person perspective.”
Excerpt:
He finished and handed the harp to me, the frame still vibrating. His fingers toyed with my hair, and his warm breath caressed my face. His mouth drew near, eyes intent, seeking permission. Hesitant, my lips parted. Curious, my eyes closed. And his lips brushed the corners of my mouth, an invitation to taste, to touch, to hold. I accepted, and held my breath as his tongue slipped over mine. A flurry of tingles heated my face and trailed down to my toes. I clutched the harp, and I couldn’t move. Everything was possible, and the world was mine, and life was glorious. And at the center of it all was David.
Hot Romantic Suspense, available at
Amazon.com
by Chantel Rhondeau
Available Now
A suspected murderess flees her former life in search of tranquility, but ghosts she left behind refuse to die, threatening to destroy her happiness.
Lilly Price is desperate to escape public scrutiny once released from her incarceration. She moves to a lakeside community in hopes of remaining anonymous while rebuilding her tattered life.
Widowed Zach Woodbridge is in no hurry to find a new bride. He longs for a peaceful summer, writing at his lakeside cottage. Things change after an introduction to his grandmother’s new assistant, Lilly.
When Lilly’s secrets are revealed, can their fragile relationship weather the storm? And when a man from the past returns to reclaim Lilly, using any force necessary, can she and Zach protect the people they love?
CONTENT WARNING: Violence, language, sizzling love scenes
Urban Fantasy: Demigods and Suspense – Available at
Amazon.com
(The Oneiroi Book 1)
by
Christina McKnight
When Lucessa Sarcona awakes from a recurring dream, she has no idea her life is about to be turned upside down. A stranger, familiar to her dreams, shows up in the flesh, and Lucessa knows she’s either crazy or experiencing something not of this world.
A war ensues between three demigod brothers. One, trained to rule Erebos, is violently replaced. One forced to return to his homeland and lead the dream-gods of the Oneiroi. And one is charged with the impossible task of protecting Lucessa. How is she linked to the Oneiroi? Why do two brothers seek to keep her hidden and protected? And how does another plan to use her against the two demigods who love her?
Will Lucessa’s dream man have the courage to claim her as his own or will he bow to the command of another, forsaking the one he loves?
Only in Her Dreams is a modern spin on a Greek legend--the new direction of Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance, moving from angels, demons, vampires, and witches and toward the realm of demigods.
Of Love and Deception
by Melisa Hamling
Coming Soon
Daniella Kurtz’ life was on track. With a damn hot boyfriend, Cruz Canton, who showers her with kisses and gifts, she was on the road to life happily ever after.
During a whirlwind romance, Cruz introduces Daniella to his longtime friends, Meg and Falcon Landers. The foursome become best buddies, almost like family, until the day Daniella catches Cruz looking at Meg’s cleavage.
Daniella conceals her doubts, desperate to conceive a child for Cruz. She turns to Meg and Falcon’s fertility clinic for help while Cruz withdraws in jealousy and suspicion. Daniella seeks answers, but the deeper she digs, the darker the secrets.
Lies and deception surround her. Alone and fighting for her life, Daniella must confront the ultimate question: Whose child was she carrying? And why?
Coming Soon!
Morgan’s Hunter
Book One