Stories and Swag!: Blog Tour: Discovering Lucy by Laura Dunaway

Title: Discovering Lucy

Author: Laura Dunaway

Release Date: March 7, 2014

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis

After three long years of living in a hell she never could have imagined, Lucy Jane Simmons courageously escapes to New York City for a fresh start. A new beginning... When Lucy meets Knox Taylor, the intoxicating man in the business suit, everything she thought she knew about relationships changes. He is strong, seductive and makes her feel safe. But can she open up enough to let him in? Will Lucy Jane escape the scars of her past? Can Knox give her the future she ultimately deserves? A story of rediscovery…

Purchase Links

Amazon ~ Barnes And Noble

Jennifer Says...

**** 4 stars

I seriously enjoyed reading Discovering Lucy by Laura Dunaway. This is a standalone but would love more as I loved the male characther and would love more of his story! Lucy is the kind of girl that has always been in a bad situation. Her mother was worthless and her boyfriend who first appeared to be prince charming turned out to be the biggest frog of the bunch. He was controlling and abusive and Lucy knew to get out before things when from bad to worse. She moves to the big city of NYC to start fresh.

She is able to find a roommate and starts a job at the cosmetics counter at a Department store. She quickly grabs the eye of the wealthy and dashing Knox Taylor. He is a CEO of his own business and on the board of Directors at the Department store Lucy works at. He is New York’s most eligible bachelor and when he crosses path with Lucy, he cannot stay away from her. Just being out of a relationship she is in no hurry to get into another. She is hesitant because of what she just came out of. Can she trust another man to not hurt her again?

“I closed my eyes and fought with those memories, propelling them back to the furthest part of my mind.”- Lucy

But then we have Knox…. Sigh… love him! He is perfect! He never found the right one until Lucy. It never felt right. With her it does and there is no looking back for him and he is determined to make her see that not all men are monsters.

“Don’t be scared,” he whispered, “I won’t ever hurt you. Let me show you just how good I can be to you, let me show you how a real man treats a woman.” – Knox

See… what’s not to love about that! The author did a great job doing flashbacks where Lucy takes us to those past memories she struggles to bury, not only with her Mother but with her past relationship. When things look like they will finally work out for Lucy and Knox, an appearance from Lucy’s past threatens it all. Her ex is determined to get her back that she belongs to him. Literally. Will Lucy and Knox find their way or will they find their HEA?? You just need to read to find out! It’s a great read that takes you from angst to melt your heart all in one setting!

Danielle says…

This is one of the Best Books I have ever read. It had a mix of everything - Romance, Angst, Heartbreaking Scenes, Passion & Sexy Scenes! When you first meet Lucy, she has just come out of a Bad Relationship & has moved to New York to make a fresh start in her life. She meets Knox while she is working at her New Job. I was hooked from the 1st Page & I just have to say that, I couldn't put it down in case I missed anything. There were twists & turns that you don't see coming through the Book!

About The Author

Laura Dunaway has been married to her prince for 17 years and together they are raising three amazing kids. While she’s always had a passion for reading and writing, it wasn’t until this past year that she finally realized she should pursue her dream of writing a book. After many many attempts at starting one, Distorted was finally the one that flowed and before she knew it, she’d written The End. When she’s not busy shuttling her kids to lessons and practices and making dinner, she’s busy behind her computer writing her next book, Discovering Lucy, which will be out winter of 2014.

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Teaser

I didn’t see the blow coming. I was standing at my dresser, eyes focused on my reflection in the mirror as I pinned my hair into a bun when I felt a sharp pain in my lower back. Time seemed to slow down as the bobby pins dropped from my hands and I fell to my knees. I gasped for air, trying to catch the breath that had been knocked out of me. “Don’t you ever think of doing that again, bitch,” I heard Drake tell me in his menacing deep voice, his dirty brown work boots in front of me. I had no idea what it was I’d done. Most of the time I hadn’t done anything. I put my hands on the floor, still trying to take deep breaths. “Wh-what did I do?” I asked in a strained voice against the agony burrowing in my back. Suddenly, my head was yanked back, and my hair was being pulled so tight that I yelped at the searing sensation. Tears stung my eyes at the torturous pressure as I balled my hands into fists, trying to resist grabbing at his hand. I knew that would make my situation worse. “I saw you. I saw you talking to that prick at the grocery store. You think I don’t know what you do every hour of the day? Huh?” He pulled back harder on my head, and tears streamed down my face as I tried not to scream. I tried to remember whom I’d talked to at the grocery store. I had gone there to get a few items, but I didn’t remember having any conversations. Unless… “You mean the guy who took my cart when I was done putting the groceries in the car?” He finally released my hair and the relief was immense. I fell to the floor and rubbed my scalp as he towered over me. I ignored the desire to scoot away from him because I’d learned the hard way that it only angered him more. Instead, I sat down and hugged my legs to my chest as I rocked back and forth. “Yes, Lucy, the guy who took the cart from you. Do you realize how bad it looks when you talk to other guys? Good lord, how stupid can you get?” He started pacing back and forth, swiping his hands through his dark blond greasy hair. His footsteps were strong and loud, especially when he wore those big, ugly, work boots that were always caked with mud. I did my best to stop shaking and rocking—I needed to appear as calm as possible. You would think I’d be used to his rage by now, but each time he assaulted me, it made me shake to my core. “I’m sorry,” I whispered, even though I knew I’d done nothing wrong. I’d been taught that it was always better to apologize than to try to explain the situation. I’d been with him for three years, and it was all I could do to stay sane. The numbness that had taken over my mind and soul was the only way I survived. He stopped pacing and turned to face me. “You’re what?” I looked into his cold gray eyes. “I’m sorry,” I said in a louder voice. He walked toward me and bent to his knees, his ugly eyes softening somewhat as he took my face in his sandpaper rough hands. I wanted to cower and throw up, but I looked him in the eye because I knew if I looked down, it would anger him even more.

“Lucy Jane, you know I hate having to lash out at you, but you give me no choice. I can’t have you prancing around town talking to every asshole you see. It makes me look bad, baby.”