Stories and Swag!: BLOG TOUR AND REVIEW: FATE'S LOVE BY L.A. COTTON

When you meet that one person in the world meant for you... you should hold onto them.

Olivia Bannon walked away.

Twice.

When 17-year-old Livy meets Ethan, she can’t deny their inexplicable connection. Lost in his dark, intense eyes and smile-to-die-for, Livy never thought she would feel like this. It almost makes her want to break her childhood vow, but Livy knows happily ever after is just an illusion, and despite her heart wanting Ethan, her head is telling her to stick with the plan. The one that doesn’t include falling in love. Period.

Eight years later, Livy finds herself back in her hometown. After the way she left things, the last time they were together, Livy is anxious about seeing Ethan again. It shouldn’t come as shock to discover he has finally moved on—but it hurts. A lot. Accepting that she will never get the chance to put things right isn’t easy, but it’s not until life comes crashing down around her that Livy realizes what she could’ve had. Left broken, alone, and depressed, only one person can pull her out—the guy she thought she'd pushed away one too many times.

Livy has finally realized that you can’t fight fate… Some things are just meant to be. Is this finally her time to get it right, or has Livy missed her last chance with Ethan?

4 stars

Fate's Love is a wonderful story about 2nd and even 3rd and 4th chances. It just proves that when something's meant to be - time nor distance can prevent it.

Livy first met Ethan at 17. One kiss and she had fallen for him but she had to walk away. See, she has her life all planned out but there's no room for a boyfriend or a life. She's had experiences in her past that makes her believe that love is nothing but a myth. Fate wants to show her differently.

Over the course of several more years Ethan and Livy continue to run into one another. There's always a pull and chemistry. There's always a situation that presents itself to show her that she and Ethan belong together. Yet she can't see the forest for trees. Unfortunately, something happens that catches Livy's attention and shows her what a sad existence she's living in. But is it too late? Has Fate decided to step back and let Livy make her own choices? How many times must Fate say "hello ~~ this is your life and your soulmate - take it"??

Will Ethan still be there for her and love her despite all her runnings and throwing her own obstacles at them? Or has he moved on? Read Fate's Love and see for yourself. You won't regret it.

I absolutely adored this story. I cried a little and I yelled a little. I can't wait to read more from Ms. Cotton.

Excerpt:

Ethan watched me intently, and I started to lose all train of thought. His piercing gaze was like a drug, slowly spreading through me until I felt high on the feeling.

“Hey, come with me,” he whispered against the soft skin under my ear.

Ethan led me away from the others, toward the back of the house. He unlocked the white-framed door and led me out onto a decked area where two sun chairs rested. He sat on one and pulled me down onto the other. “Look up.”

I laid back and let my eyes wander north. The stars sparkled in the moonlit sky. It was breathtaking—a vast black canvas full of tiny diamonds.

“It's beautiful.”

“So are you.” He sighed, as if conflicted. “Liv, ever since I first saw you I knew something was different. I was only eighteen, had never really had a girlfriend, and had never really even been that interested in girls. I mean... of course I was interested in girls. I was eighteen. But I didn't really date or anything. And then I saw you arguing with Sharn, and it was like I just had to know you...”

Silence lingered between us. The only sound was my own heart, beating in anticipation of what he was going to say next.

“I've thought about you every day since that night Liv. I can't explain it. It doesn't make any sense. But I can't get you out of my head.” His hand found mine, and he entwined our fingers.

We lay there for what seemed an eternity. His thumb caressed my hand as I tried to absorb his words. I couldn't process his confession, let alone find my voice to reply. So instead, we just watched the night sky. It didn’t feel awkward or uncomfortable.

It felt perfect.

A shriek of laughter from inside the house startled me, and I pulled myself up ready to head back into the house. Ethan’s hand caught mine and stopped me. He stood up, his arms curving around my waist. His eyes searched mine as he held me tight. There was so much I wanted to say. It was on the tip of my tongue—I just had to take a chance.

He noticed my hesitation. “What are you thinking?”

“I… tonight… it’s been-”

I wanted to say the night had been perfect. To tell him that I felt whatever it was between us. Apologize for walking out on him all those years ago at senior prom. But when his eyes dropped down to linger on my mouth, my stomach pooled with desire, and I slammed my lips on his to try to convey what I was having trouble finding the words to express.

My hands trailed up the defined muscles in his arms until they clasped around the back of his neck. Ethan guided us backwards until he hit the wall, pulling me into him as our lips melted together and our teeth clashed. It wasn’t sweet or tender like it had been earlier; it was frantic and full of need. But it spoke a thousand words.

Bonus Scene Ethan POV:

My eyes blinked rapidly, disbelieving of the sight in front of them. It was like seeing a mirage; a figment of the imagination. It’s her, my mind screamed. I blinked again, just to double check my mind wasn’t playing tricks, the way it often did; seeing her when it wasn’t really her, but a stranger. Never her. Not since the best fucking night of my life—and the worst.

I watched her stumble along the rubber matted pathway, my eyes drinking in the sight of her. It’s really her. She didn’t look much different; same glossy hair falling around her beautiful face—a face my mind refused to ever forget. But her eyes seemed different. Sad? Maybe. I couldn’t place the emotion. They just didn’t seem to sparkle the way they used to.

Realizing what a douche I must’ve looked standing there, staring, I started to move toward her. My mind hadn’t really processed seeing her, but my body responded instinctually. It had always been that way with us. My feet ground to a halt as she lost her footing and went crashing to the floor. I smiled to myself… some things never changed.

I watched her sit up in a crumpled heap, before moving toward her and extending my hand just as she opened her eyes, damn those eyes. She reached for my hand with slight hesitation, her eyes wide. “Thanks.”

I pulled her up and she steadied herself, and then brushed down her jeans. “At least I didn't crash into you this time.”

I couldn’t speak, too overwhelmed with the sight of her, the feel of her. The bittersweet sentiment of the moment.

Why now?

A slight blush crept over her cheeks and she stuttered, “Erm, so thanks again. How are you? Long time no see.”

Finally, I broke the silence. “Oh, hey Liv, no worries. You should perhaps give up skating for good. Seven years and you're still like Bambi on ice.”

My voice didn’t sound like my own. I sounded robotic. Emotionless. Shit, this was awkward. It had never been awkward between us in the past. But past was past, and present… well, present was fucked up.

Her face paled as she noticed the humorless tone to my voice and I rushed out, “Anyway it was good seeing you. I'd better go, I'm meeting some friends. There's a birthday celebration, and I'm already late.”

“Wait, who are you meeting?” she asked, a slight frown on her face.

No, no, no. Please no.

“Erm, I'm actually here with Kade, but we're meeting up with Keefer Smith and some of his friends. I think it's his girlfriend's friend’s birthday or something.”

Her pink lips drew into a forced smile. “Well, I think that I might be the friend of said girlfriend you are referring to.'”

Fuck.

“I didn’t realize you were back, so I never put two and two together.”

Something flashed in her eyes, but I couldn’t let myself place the emotion, in fear of doing something I’d regret. “Okay, well the guys are over by the bar getting the drinks in. There's a few of us so go ahead and mingle. I need to trade in my skates and go freshen up,” she said, pulling on the hem of her top.

“Cool, I'll grab Kade and head over. Enjoy your birthday night Liv.”

As I walked away from her my heart was beating so fast, I felt a little lightheaded. Almost two years. Two years spent waiting for her to see sense, for fate to cross our paths once again. And what did I get instead? Three years, a girlfriend that wanted what I couldn’t give her, and a chance encounter with the girl my heart never forgot. Shit, life just got complicated.

A. Cotton has a busy mind in need of constant stimulation. A youth worker from the Midlands, UK, if L. A isn’t immersed in a book, she’s figuring out what course to study next. With an imagination that refuses to stay quiet, early this year, L. A finally decided to put finger to keyboard and start typing. Her first novel, Fate’s Love is due for release September 30th.

When she’s not busy reading, writing, and plotting future books, L. A. is mum to two gorgeous children, and their hyper terrier, Rocky.