Low Over High
The Over Duet #1
JA DeRouen
Cover Design: DCP Designs
Release Date: November 14, 2016

I fancy myself a purveyor of truth, a sifter of lies, a cutter of bullshit. It’s not a gift, but rather, all skill, honed to a razor’s edge after one too many trips down the rabbit hole.

Some may dismiss my talent as misplaced and misguided cynicism, but they’d be wrong. Cliches about hope and faith in mankind are concocted unicorn farts, an effort to keep the dreamers dreaming. Experiences don’t lie—people do.

While I’m not proud of the circumstances that led me to this way of thinking, I respect the journey. The road to enlightenment can be dark and foreboding, but the destination makes it all worthwhile.

But funny thing about the past—it’s a defiant child refusing to stay in time out. No matter how deeply buried, it can always pop up when least expected, and sink its fucking claws into the flesh of your heart. No, not my heart—I no longer have one. I foolishly gave it away years ago, but I still feel the ripping in my chest as I fist the crumpled note left on my porch.

I’ve avoided this day, ran from it, for the past eight years.

And still we meet again.

But to truly understand … to feel my dread and fear my future as I do, it’s important to know what happened in my past.

Or who…

My name is Marlo Rivers, and this is my story of corrupted love.

You can grab your copy of Low Over High, the first in the Over Duet, today from the retailers listed below!

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU 

I know that DeRouen writes good books. She has proven herself time and time again. I knew this one would be just as great but I did not expect to feel so much and even cry while reading this story. I might get emotional about books and the stories that I read and invest my time in but it is rare that I actually shed tears. And let me tell you, there were tears shed my friend. Low Over High was everything I expected but nothing like I thought it would be.

If you have read other books by DeRouen, there is a chance you have met Marlo before. This is her story, the past experiences that shaped her into who she is now. I love these stories. I enjoy experiencing the characters ups and downs, allowing us to better understand the way they react in the present day. First off, the setting is magical. I love New Orleans and this book is steeped deep into the culture of the South. We explore the streets and see both the beauty and ugliness of that world. There is  authentic cuisine that makes my mouth water just imagining. The authenticity and vibrancy of NOLA creates a backdrop that is both alive and important. 

The people we meet in this book create a web that draws the reader in. Marlo is a brilliant and feisty young woman. Her roommates are unique and fun. The people she meets at her new school are different and they create a new environment for Low to be a part of. Ever and Marlo meet and first impressions are not the best. But as they strike an uneasy truce, things begin to change and a powerful, young love takes hold. These two are floundering in their feelings but that floundering is both endearing and real. Neither one has experienced love on this level and watching them work through it is sweet and at times, heartbreaking. They both have their own issues outside of this new love to deal with and those new realities haunt their young love. When things explode and it is too hard to handle, hurt and pain is the result. 

This book addresses some issues I was not expecting. Low is a strong and capable young woman but the world is not kind to her. I cried. When she goes to release her demons and beg someone to take them away, I tried to hold it in but a sob came barreling out. DeRouen communicates the anguish and pain of what happens in this book. It is not easy but the world can be both cruel and kind. I am so excited to see what the second book in the duet is about. I am dying for Ever and Low to get their second chance. Now that I understand their past, I am so excited and anxious for what is coming in their future. 

 

Kissing Ever is like breaking the surface of the ocean. Legs kicking, arms flailing, and then that precious moment when air rushes into your lungs, giving you the one thing you need the most. Yeah, kissing Ever is just like that.

When his teeth lightly tug on my bottom lip, he owns me. I swear, my shirt almost flies off of its own accord.

Of course, I keep my cool despite his lovely lips … sort of. His tongue slides gently against mine, and I inch closer to him. He pulls away to taste my upper lip, and I grip his shirt with both hands. Maybe my hands slide under the shirt to touch his hot skin, but only an inch or two. When he lets out a long sigh, and his fingers brush the sides of my cheeks just so, I slide my legs between his. I want to pull his ribs loose and burrow deep inside of him, and even then, I’m not sure if it’s close enough.

He slows the kiss, still tasting me, sucking my lips, teasing me with his tongue. When I open my eyes, he’s right there with me, hazy eyes and parted lips. I run a hesitant finger over the freckles on his nose, and he runs his thumb across my swollen mouth. I finger his hair, tugging playfully, and he kisses my dimple, poking me with his tongue.

We explore each other slowly, thoroughly, and my thumb runs over his stomach to the thin line of hair trailing below his belly button. He shivers, and I swear the bulge pushing into the back of my thigh isn’t a banana in his pocket. It makes me feel powerful—that I can turn him on that way. This is the first time I can remember wanting that power. Boy’s erections were always a nuisance to me in the past.

He doesn’t expect me to do something with that, does he? Nuh-uh.

Let me be clear, those are not the thoughts running through my mind as I bend my knee and push my thigh more firmly into Ever’s hard-on. Not even close.

His hips raise to my pressure, and he drops his forehead to mine with a long sigh.

“I knew kissing you would be good, Low, but that was … I don’t know what that was,” he says with a chuckle, stealing another kiss.

“We should try it again. You know, figure it out.”

And we do.

 

 

J.A. DeRouen lives in South Louisiana with her husband, son (aptly named “The Professor), and her furry friend, Scout. She holds bachelor’s degrees in psychology and nursing.

When she’s not writing or inhaling romance novels by the stack, she works as a women’s health nurse. She’s been an avid reader and daydreamer since childhood, and she’s never stopped turning the page to get to the next happily ever after.

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