Leighton Riley - Regretfully

Title: Regretfully
Author: Leighton Riley
Release Date: Oct 16, 2014
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How do you heal after everything has been ripped away from you?
Completely devastated and alone, Tristen cannot fathom life after losing Cami and his unborn child. He attempts to find normality in his broken world but everything seems wrong.
Aria is compelled to help Tristen and cannot escape the undeniable connection she feels for him, even though Cami was one of her closest friends. She tries to help him move forward by befriending him but quickly realizes that there is more.
Tristen and Aria are both struggling to deal with these confusing emotions. Can they find happiness even when they feel utterly broken?

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“Idon’t- I’ve always been the sister-type, never like this.  Do you really want this?  Idon’t expect anything afterwards, but are you really attracted to me like that?”  She murmured, so unsure of herself.  Her hands landed on my bare chest and glided over my nipple piercings.  The sensitivity was there and I briefly thought about what it would feel like having her luscious lips wrapped around them. 
“Listen to me.  Listen very carefully because you should already know this.  You’re gorgeous, inside and out.  We never saw you as our sister, we all respected you though.  You were the one everyone wanted but never had a chance with.  I could call up any of our surfing friends and they’d agree.  Hell, the girls knew it too.  When one of the guys started working up the nerve to ask you on a date, the others would warn about what would happen if he hurt you.  I guess we all kinda cock blocked you.”  I rub my neck, realizing how we were back then.  “I’m sorry for that.”

- The birth date on the gravestone is my actual date of birth ;)
- I try to include names from my street team and readers in my books. (Rebecca, Elixix, Tami, Cassia were all from them in Regretfully)
- Tristen got his name from a good friend of mine. She was with me in the beginning of my writing process and her boyfriend’s name was Tristen and I fell in love with the name. 
- I saw Cirque Du Soleil’sZumanity and one of the performers had his nipples pierced. I was sold and knew Tristen would be getting them. :D
- I was able to relate to Tristen in some ways regarding Cami’s death. A boyfriend of mine was taken from this world too soon and I drew from those memories. 
- Gloria’s is my favorite Latin restaurant and I had to include it in the book. The one I go to is in Dallas though. 
- Aria’s flashback (you’ll know which one I’m talking about, hint- alcohol) was tough for me to write. I spent weeks on it, making sure it was accurate and written in a respectable manner. That’s one scene I don’t go back and reread very much, but it’s often on my mind.

Texas born and raised, I found my love for dirty books rather recently.  I work in real estate for my day job and I write contemporary romance with a twist of suspense and erotica.  Sinfully, Regretfully, and Deceitfully can be read in order or as standalones.  Sinfully and Regretfully take place around the same time frame and can even be read in reverse order (will give more background on Payton and Ryder’s story).  Tate’s story, Deceitfully, will finish off the series and will be out in spring of 2015.

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Review:

4 out of 5 stars ARC Kindle Copy for Review

Sometimes it is hard to move along especially when it is sudden.

Tristen thought he had everything a woman he loved and was planning to marry and she was carrying his child.  They kept their relationship quiet from their parents and her twin brother Ryan a secret.  So it remained a secret that Cami was pregnant and that he could not tell anyone which further his depression.

At her funeral, he meets Aria an old friend of Cami who looks somewhat like her.  They begin a friendship that is on and off since she has a live in boyfriend Sutter who is a bit jealous.  Each is attracted to each other but know they should stay just as friends.

Can Tristen learn to move on with the aid of Aria as his world falls apart?  Will she be a staple in his life or is she a fleeting moment when an unexpected surprise turns up later?