My third novel is finished and has been sent to my editor (aka my brutally honest sister). So, the countdown begins to the release of book three of The Front Row Series! I’ve been posting teasers on my blog of Hannah and Beau’s love story. These will be flashbacks in the finished novel. My latest is a summer themed story. You can read it HERE !

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Hello, my Tumblr friends! I wanted to share this little story mainly so you would all know I’m not dead. Yes, I am also working on my Captain Swan WIPs, no worries. I also have some other stuff up my sleeves, especially for Christmas. I feel my muse slowly awakening, hallelujah! 

In the meantime, I thought I’d share this story that I just put up on my website. I wrote this back in either September or October. I even remember where I was: at the Starbucks in Barnes & Noble. It was honestly a magical moment where I just really loved all my words, if you know what I mean. The characters, the setting, the humor, I just adored Hannah and Beau even more after writing this. Beau, especially. He’s just this awkward teddy bear of a person who I just want to hug. Constantly. Unlike the Barrett brothers, he’s not smooth with his words. I thought that would be really difficult to write, but it’s been surprisingly . . . sweet. And adorable. Especially after years of writing a lot of Killian, it’s been fun to create a different sort of romantic lead. 

Anyhoo, I think this is a cute story even if you aren’t familiar with my cast of characters in fictional Lightport (loosely adapted from a really, really old CS fanfic of mine that no longer exists. Besides, it has now taken on a life of it’s own). So, I’m going to tag randomly. Sorry. If you wanted to be tagged, and I missed you, apologies. I also will not apologize for the shameless plug to buy books one and two of The Front Row Series HERE.

Years Ago . . . 

The next time one of the youth leaders decides to “mix things up” for the Christmas Eve service, Hannah is not signing up. However, she did sign up for this year, and it’s too late. She’s standing here in front of everyone dressed as a giant candy cane. 

Behind her, on the risers, are the rest of the youth group forming a living Christmas tree. Most are dressed in all green as the tree, but Hannah had to be her usual enthusiastic self when it came to Christmas and volunteered to be an ornament. She didn’t know, in her defense, what type of ornament she would be. Neither was she told that she would be wearing a white bodysuit and white tights covered in red tape for stripes. It would be cute. 

If she were five. 

Instead, she’s seventeen, and though she may be small-chested, a white body-suit is the last thing a developed teenage girl should be wearing. She feels naked, even though the sleeveless bodysuit has a modest neckline. 

Nevertheless, she tilts her chin bravely and says her lines: 

“Many years ago, legend says, a priest asked the village candy maker to create something to quiet the children during Christmas Mass. The candy maker made peppermint candy, but instead of making a stick, he curved the top like a shepherd’s crook . . .”

Hannah continued with the tale, explaining how the white symbolizes purity and the red symbolizes Christ’s blood. When Micah had read her lines, he’d rolled his eyes and scoffed. 

“This is probably a load of crap.”

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone,and happy book birthday to me!

In the Anderson family, Kate is the "good daughter." In the Barrett family, Josiah is the "good son." With their younger siblings causing their parents such heartbreak, the last thing either of them wants to do is let everyone down. And if that means keeping secrets, they will. After all, the whole church - the whole town - is watching. As the years pass, Kate and Josiah become closer, and the secrets become heavier. Will it all eventually tear them apart?

Go HERE to download. 

This one is part two of my Front Row Series. I think you can read them separately, but if you want to start with the first book:

What Hindered Love Former foster kid Chloe Wren had never been to church a day in her life until she stepped through the door of Community Fellowship at the age of eighteen. She quickly becomes entangled in the complex world of a pastor's family through her relationship with Micah Barrett, the troubled younger son of the church's pastor. Six years later, her relationship with both Micah and the church have been broken seemingly beyond repair. Yet the son she and Micah share has a childlike faith that just might be the key to redemption for them all. *ie the CS fanfic I turned into an original novel*

The first book is only $3.99, which means you’d get the whole series for five bucks, which is a pretty sweet deal! 

I can’t believe it’s been a year since The One Who Sees Me was released! To celebrate, the Kindle version is going on sale Thanksgiving weekend for only 99 cents! The sale doesn’t start until Thanksgiving day, but it’s still a steal for full price at only $4.99. You can get it HERE.

You can also get get my first book, What Hindered Love, HERE for only $3.99 on Kindle. You can also get both in paperback if you like - it would make a great Christmas gift!

And signal boosts are always appreciated!

What are they about, you ask? Well, they are romances, for starters. Here are the book blurbs for each:

What Hindered Love: Former foster kid Chloe Wren had never been to church a day in her life until she stepped through the doors of Community Fellowship at the age of eighteen. She quickly becomes entangled in the complex world of a pastor's family through her relationship with Micah Barrett, the troubled younger son of the church's pastor. Six years later, her relationship with both Micah and the church have been broken seemingly beyond repair. Yet the son she and Micah share has a childlike faith that just might be the key to redemption for them all.

The One Who Sees Me: In the Anderson family, Kate is the "good daughter." In the Barrett family, Josiah is the "good son." With their younger siblings causing their parents such heartbreak, the last thing either of them wants to do is let everyone down. And if that means keeping secrets, they will. After all, the whole church - the whole town - is watching. As the years pass, Kate and Josiah become closer, and the secrets become heavier. Will it all eventually tear them apart?

People ask me if they have to be read in order, and though I thought I wrote them so they could be read independently, my readers have given mixed opinions on that. So maybe ask some in the fandom who have read both. 

My books are on sale this weekend! You can get the entire series (so far) for just 99 cents! Please signal boost and let your book loving friends know!

Get book one for FREE by clicking HERE.

Get book two for 99 cents by clicking HERE.

Tagging my tribe (love you all for your support!): @snowbellewells @kmomof4 @whimsicallyenchantedrose @xhookswenchx @teamhook @optomisticgirl @winterbythesea @thisonesatellite @jrob64 @ekr032-blog-blog @superchocovian @reynoldsreads @singersdd @hookedonapirate @thislassishooked @ilovemesomekillianjones @hollyethecurious @pirateherokillian @welllpthisishappening @wellhellotragic @demisexualemmaswan @killian-whump @thesschesthair @spartanguard @shireness-says @bethacaciakay @athenascarlet @cocohook38 @xsajx @winterbaby89 @onceratheart18 @lassluna @jonesfandomfanatic @tiganasummertree @carpedzem @itsfabianadocarmo @teacup-of-candlelight @mythologicalmango @gingerchangeling @stahlop @ohmakemeahercules @profdanglaisstuff @let-it-raines​ @scientificapricot​

The One Who Sees Me, my second book in The Front Row Series, is on sale this week only. You can get your ebook version HERE

In the Anderson family, Kate is the "good daughter." In the Barrett family, Josiah is the "good son." With their younger siblings causing their parents such heartbreak, the last thing either of them wants to do is let everyone down. And if that means keeping secrets, they will. After all, the whole church - the whole town - is watching. As the years pass, Kate and Josiah become closer and the secrets become heavier. Will it all eventually tear them apart?

Valentine’s Sale!

The One Who Sees Me is on sale now through Valentine’s Day on Kindle for only 99 cents! If you are looking for a romantic read for the holiday, this will fit the bill!

Go here to download your copy.

Tagging the usuals (signal boosts appreciated!):  @snowbellewells​​​​​​​ @teamhook​​​​​​​ @xhookswenchx​​​​​​​ @kmomof4​​​​​​​ @hookedonapirate​​​​​​​ @ilovemesomekillianjones​​​​​​​ @reynoldsreads​​​​​​​ @whimsicallyenchantedrose​​​​​​​ @welllpthisishappening​​​​​​​ @wellhellotragic​​​​​​​ @optomisticgirl​​​​​​​ @spartanguard​​​​​​​ @ekr032-blog-blog​​​​​​​ @jrob64​​​​​​​ @ultraluckycatnd​​​​​​​ @superchocovian​​​​​​​ @bethacaciakay​​​​​​​ @distant-rose​ @klynn-stormz​​​​​​ @carpedzem​​​​​​ @cheerynoir​

And the title of my next book is . . .

I'm so excited! The book will release in November.

@xhookswenchx @welllpthisishappening @hookedonapirate @ekr032-blog-blog @vvbooklady1256 @superchocovian @snowbellewells @ilovemesomekillianjones @ineffablecolors @ultraluckycatnd

So many of you supported my last book, I apologize if I forgot anyone!

A little over a year ago, I self-published my first book, What Hindered Love. The story was told completely from the main character, Chloe Wren’s, point of view. I also wrote stories from Micah’s point of view. Since book two is still a few months from publication, I’m sharing some of those extra stories about Micah. This is one of my favorites because of the interaction between Micah and his dad. This story also illustrates one of the main themes of the book: that real love is sacrificial.

Summary: As Micah holds his son for the first time, the full truth about his drug addiction threatens to overwhelm him. He fears he will never be worthy of Chloe's love or the love of his son. He has a heart to heart with the most unlikely person - his estranged father. Maybe love means saying good-bye. Micah just hopes it isn't forever.

Rating: T for teen parenthood and addiction

Words: a little over 3k

What Hindered Love is available in paperback and ebook on Amazon here .

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Chloe Wren had never been so beautiful to Micah Barrett as she did in that moment, her hair clinging to her brow, sticky with sweat, and her arms holding their son in a gentle yet tight embrace. Her smile was one that was difficult to describe, but it was definitely radiant and breathtaking; a smile he had surely never seen on her face before.

“Oh Micah,” she whispered, “I don’t even have words.”

“I know what you mean,” he whispered back, brushing a kiss across her cheek.

The nurse took Luke from Chloe then, carrying him across the room to the hospital bassinet. Micah followed the nurse, a feeling of nervousness for his son’s well being suddenly overwhelming him. He was sure the nurse knew what she was doing as she bathed the tiny infant with a wet washcloth and soap, but Micah found himself flooded with worries. Was he too cold? Was he frightened? Was the nurse being too rough? As soon as the wet cloth touched Luke’s skin, his body startled and his eyes flew open wide for a moment before his entire face scrunched up for a loud wail. But in that brief moment, Micah saw his own blue eyes staring back at him. A miniature face just like his own. It was a bit disconcerting to see himself in miniature, but it also swelled his heart almost to the bursting point to see such visible, tangible evidence of his and Chloe’s love. Their love had brought forth this tiny human being before him.

“He has his daddy’s eyes,” the nurse told him.

When she finished bathing Luke, she diapered him and dressed him in a onesie Chloe had brought in her overnight bag. Then she swaddled him tightly in a hospital blanket and turned with the tiny bundle to Micah.

“Is Daddy ready to hold him?”

Micah swallowed hard as he reached out tentatively for the newborn. He knew babies were small, but he still hadn’t been prepared for just how small and vulnerable his son was. As he settled Luke in the crook of his arm, being careful to support his neck as the nurse instructed, Micah felt he could barely breathe. The weight of this love was overwhelming all of his senses, and one thought kept repeating on a loop in his head. He was responsible for raising this child in his arms; he was this little boy’s father. And he suddenly knew his own father had been right: he wasn’t ready. Cold realization swept over him; he was a drug addict and now he was holding a son in his arms. A son who deserved so much more than he could give him. A son who would surely endure the pain of being let down, just as Micah had repeatedly let Chloe down. Micah felt his heart beat faster and the blood rush from his head. What was he supposed to do now?

“Micah,” Chloe said softly, “it’s August 15th. We met a year ago today.”

He looked up from the babe in his arms to gaze into Chloe’s face. She was so happy, so at peace. Motherhood looked so right on her already. How could he go on the way he was? Letting her down at every turn when she needed him?

I know y'all might be tired of me talking about the book I wrote, but my sister just made this book trailer for it, and I had to share it. It made me pretty emotional, to be honest.

Here’s another “outtake” from my novel What Hindered Love. I wrote the book from Chloe’s point of view, but I also wrote all of these stories from Micah’s, and I just have to share them!

Summary: A "deleted" scene taking place during the "missing" years between the two timelines in What Hindered Love. Chloe and Luke both have the flu, and Micah agrees to watch the two year old so Chloe can rest. But as a result, he learns some painful news about Chloe.

Rating: T

**Also Spoilers for What Hindered Love!**

Words: About 3k and some change

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Micah wiped the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand as he shut the doors of the catering van. He’d barely had time to take a breath when Hannah came running up to him in a panic.

“Micah, thank God!” she panted as she skidded to a stop in front of him. “All the part time help has already taken off for the night, and I’ve got boxes of decorations piled in a heap. Where Josiah finds such crappy help I’ll never know.”

“The college, Hannah,” Micah chuckled, “they’re the only ones who will work so cheap.”

“Oh right,” Hannah laughed breathlessly, gesturing wildly with her hands like she always did, “makes sense. I mean, at least they broke down the tents and hauled all the heaters away. Anyhow, I can’t lift all this stuff! Please, come to my rescue like you used to back in high school.”

By this point, she was bouncing on the balls of her feet and pouting as she clutched his arm. He shook his head thinking how she used the same tactics in elementary school to weasel him out of his snack in Sunday school.

“That pout works a whole lot better on Beau,” he quipped, but then couldn’t help laughing when her face fell. He slung his arm over her shoulder, “but I’ll help you anyway.”

If you’re looking for something to read during your self-quarantine, you can get my book What Hindered Love on Amazon right now! If you’ve already read it, here’s another story from Micah’s point of view. This time, this is his version of the night Chloe showed up at his apartment drunk.

Rating: M

Trigger warnings: mentions of losing virginity and teen pregnancy

***Also SPOILERS for What Hindered Love***

Words: 3,000 +

Summary: Chloe said it was what she wanted, but then again, she was only 19. And five years later, Micah is plagued with guilt over taking her virginity. Especially considering where it all led. Now that they're friends, he thinks it's best to talk about it. When Chloe shows up at his apartment drunk, he thinks maybe that wasn't the best idea he's ever had.

You can find other extra content for What Hindered Love on my blog: melanietillman.com

Tagging: @teamhook​ @xhookswenchx​ @snowbellewells​ @ekr032-blog-blog​ @sherlockianwhovian​ @thislassishooked​ @ohmakemeahercules​ @kday426​ @onceuponaprincessworld​ @ilovemesomekillianjones​ @superchocovian​ @nikkiemms​ @ultraluckycatnd​ @whimsicallyenchantedrose​ @bethacaciakay​ @tiganasummertree​ @welllpthisishappening​ @wellhellotragic​ @optomisticgirl​ @kmomof4​  (I tagged some of you this time around just because I figured you would signal boost for me! Let me know if you want to be tagged regularly for WHL content.)

Micah’s senses are overwhelmed. The smell of Chloe’s soft hair, her breaths puffing hot against his shoulder, her fingers grasping his biceps. He pulls back to look in her face, to look deeply into her sparkling amber eyes, to tell her of the depth of his feelings.

“I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

He shakes his head even as he smiles. This isn’t how it went. She didn’t say that. She looked away, so shy all of a sudden, and I had to gently turn her face back to me. I was worried I had hurt her; I was worried she regretted it.

“I loved you, Micah,” she pauses, her face falling, and then her eyes go dull. “But you didn’t love me.”

“What?” Micah protests as she pushes him off her and sits up, hugging the sheet up to her chin. “Yes, I did. Of course I did. I mean, I do.”

Chloe shakes her head, “Obviously not enough. Or you wouldn’t have taken everything from me.”

“Chloe, I’m so sorry . . . “ he doesn’t know what else to say as he reaches for her. “You said this was what you wanted.”

Here’s my next previously unpublished story from What Hindered Love, all of which are from Micah’s point of view. Here have Micah playing the guitar and being a hot dad with adorable Luke. With a side of angst as he pines for Chloe.

Summary: When life seems at its lowest, Micah has learned to turn to his music for comfort. His five year old son and his childlike faith helps too. This takes place right after chapter eighteen in What Hindered Love.

As Micah pulled the door of his son’s room quietly shut, the weight of the day suddenly was too much to bear. He’d put on a brave face for his son, not wanting him to sense anything was amiss. But now, he could finally retreat and try to make sense of the ache within him. He knew just where to find solace; the same place he’d found it back when he was a confused teenager. The place of solace he had lost for a time following Rachel’s death. The place of solace that had gotten him through rehab and back to a place of healing. His music.

He went to his bedroom and pulled the case holding his acoustic out from under his bed. A Taylor he had bought after celebrating one year of being clean. He sat on the bed and rested the instrument on his knee, strumming a few times as he turned the pegs to tune it. When he finally started to play, he was surprised at the song that he began to strum: REM’s “Losing My Religion.” It had been a favorite of his as a teen – the words seemed to speak to his wandering, questioning soul. He no longer was floundering where his faith was concerned, but his heart. His heart was still lost. He had given it years ago to Chloe and didn’t he think he would ever get it back. The song talked about the distance in a lover’s eyes and the fear of saying too much. There had been distance in Chloe’s eyes, all right. The entire time at the diner today, he could feel her walls like a tangible thing, higher and more impenetrable than ever.

Micah belted out the chorus next, about a person losing their religion. This was the part of the song that the confused preacher’s kid had been able to relate to so strongly. All his life, lived under a spotlight, yet the real him deep inside slowly fading, shrinking away in a corner. Because who he really was would never be good enough.

I'm giving away this prize pack on my Instagram. Every new follower in the next 48 hours gets entered in the drawing (I'm @melanietillmanwrites over there). The prize includes the following:

* An autographed copy of my book What Hindered Love

* My friend Catherine Mullins' newest CD that has the track "Never Lost" which I featured in my book.

*Two t-shirts from Catherine's shop (women's large).

All of it is packaged in a beautiful gift box!

Signal boosts also appreciated!

@kmomof4 @whimsicallyenchantedrose @snowbellewells @teamhook @bethacaciakay @sherlockianwhovian @ultraluckycatnd @xhookswenchx @hollyethecurious @shireness-says @thislassishooked @onceuponaprincessworld @ekr032-blog-blog @nikkiemms @welllpthisishappening @wellhellotragic @branlovestowrite @winterbaby89 @ohmakemeahercules

Here’s another story from the universe of my novel What Hindered Love. That book was told completely from Chloe’s point of view, but I have several unpublished scenes from Micah’s point of view. Fittingly, this is Micah’s version of what happened on Valentine’s Day when Chloe thought he was hooking up with another woman.

Summary: Once an addict, always an addict. Especially when wires get crossed on Valentine’s Day. Luckily, all Micah has to do is use the code word “busted,” and his friends are there.

Tagging those who might be interested: @vvbooklady1256​ @winterbaby89​ @ilovemesomekillianjones​ @snowbellewells​ @kday426​  @onceuponaprincessworld​ @ekr032-blog-blog​ @nikkiemms​ @bethacaciakay​ @branlovestowrite​ @xhookswenchx​ @thislassishooked​ @sherlockianwhovian​ @ultraluckycatnd​ @flicialy23​  @harshini0​

Anyone else who wants to be tagged for WHL content, please just let me know!

Spoilers for the novel, obviously, so it’s below the cut: