WRAPPED
Book Two, Manhattan Bound
Series
By Juliet Braddock
Sweeping through the glitz and glamour of New York’s high
society and the drama unfolding in the dressing rooms of Broadway, WRAPPED,
by Juliet Braddock, continues the journey of a young theatrical publicist’s
foray into submission under the tutelage of a dashingly dark star of the
stage. WRAPPED —the much
anticipated sequel to Braddock’s critically acclaimed erotic romance WEAKENED—is
the second book in The Manhattan Bound Series.
When Drew McKenzie presents Maxine Kirk with an ultimatum,
challenging her to engage in his wanton brand of desire, she readily embraces
her awakening hunger for a lifestyle that defies her perceptions of romance.
Entranced by Drew’s charming appeal and by his sensual assault
to her senses, Maxine clamors to discover every nuance of this new
relationship, ravenous to explore verboten fantasies that seem possible to
fulfill only with Drew.
Along the way, he introduces her to his glamorous world of
wealth and celebrity—where lavish galas and luxurious gifts are the norm—and
entices her into his realm of control with his tender mode of domination.
All the while, however, they both grapple with painful emotions
brought about by the extenuating circumstances of their separate pasts.
While Drew remains both confident and conscientious in his
parlay of power over Maxine, his own tragic secret lurks in every shadow upon
his path in life. Behind the façade of
his stage persona and the origin of old Manhattan society, he struggles to hide
the unforgiving reality he faced as a child.
Just as Maxine finds the strength to conquer her own torment
with Drew’s patience and guidance leading her toward closure, terrifying truths
begin to chip away at the surface of his composure.
As the nightmarish details of Drew’s unimaginable life emerge,
he fears that this new world he’d begun to build with Maxine will crumble
around him.
As Maxine finds herself embroiled in the battle to save Drew’s
tortured soul from the atrocities that continue to stalk his every move, two
lost souls struggling to find comfort and completion converge.
However, as Drew opens his heart to Maxine’s unwavering
support, he questions his own bravery, wondering if she’ll take a bow and make
her exit…or if she’ll stick around for the encore?
WRAPPED, the second novel in Juliet Braddock’s “Manhattan
Bound” series of four books, is available on Amazon for $2.99 USD.
Find Juliet on the web, on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
EXCERPTS FROM
WRAPPED
By Juliet Braddock
Book Two in the Manhattan Bound Series
EXCERPT ONE
“Excuse me, Kind Sir,”
Maxine's shy voice echoed softly as she poked just her head out of the bedroom
door. “Would you please help a girl out
with her dress?”
Drew had been fussing with
his bowtie in the standing mirror in the hallway and straightening his
cufflinks when she called. The sweetness of her expression resounded against
his ears, as he pulled in a deep breath, anticipating this moment he'd been
longing for all afternoon. At last his little one was ready for the ball...
On the other side of the
door, Maxine had been in panic mode, carefully applying her make-up and
struggling to make sure that every last hair was in place and perfectly pinned.
Drew had offered to hire someone to do her hair and make-up to alleviate some
of her stress, but Maxine insisted on handling every last brush stroke herself.
When Drew finally opened
the door, he stopped—dead in his tracks
as if trapped within the frame. His lips parted; his eyes softened as they cast
upon Maxine.
Arms wrapped around her
chest to hold the bodice in place while she waited for his assistance, Maxine
couldn't help but to do a bit of staring herself.
He looked so stunningly handsome in his simple black tux and tie, his hair—for
once—in perfect place as if he were on
stage, she mused to herself. The last time she’d seen him in a tux was on television at the Tony Awards. How times had changed…
Yet self-doubts began to
surface. So typically Maxine, she fretted,
wondering against his scrutiny if she looked appropriate—if she could actually
play the role of date to Drew McKenzie that evening, if she truly measured up
to the standards required for being there at his side and on his arm.
However, his gaze upon her
left her slightly trembling in its wake. She'd wound her shiny locks into a
French twist with tiny auburn ringlets playing so delicately around her face.
The teal silk of the gown silhouetted every last curve of her body that he knew
so well. Dangling and sparkling, the emerald earrings truly did accentuate the
beauty of her honest green eyes. She’d even gained
some weight, which pleased him to no end. He was simply elated to see a
happy—healthier—Maxine standing before him, with a timid confidence that he
found so endearing.
By the time he smiled at
long last, his silence had nearly killed her.
“Little one...oh, my
sweet little one...” His stride was
slow, closing the distance between them. “What the hell does a man say to the
most beautiful woman in the world?”
Juliet Braddock
Author
Juliet Braddock
Biography
Juliet Braddock’s first efforts in creative writing came long
before she learned to put crayon to paper.
In fact, she began spinning stories in her head nearly as soon as she
could form complete sentences. As long
as she can remember, she’d always created sagas about imaginary friends, family
members and pop culture icons, and kept everyone around her entertained with
her witty—but often very tall—tales.
For her sixth Christmas, Juliet’s mother got her a child’s
typewriter to preserve all of those creative thoughts filling her head, but she
quickly switched to ball point pens and notebooks when the ribbon ran dry.
Most of Juliet’s early attempts at writing romance focused on
members of Duran Duran and Spandau Ballet or young leading men on Broadway. However, as she matured as a writer, she
decided that it was just as much fun to create her own romantic heroes and
heroines.
At an early age, she also developed a love for big cities,
and the tallest of skyscrapers were never high enough for her. Juliet’s wanderlust would eventually lure her
to New York, a city she often visited during her formative years, and her love
affair with Manhattan began. She’d
promised herself that one day she would return for good.
Juliet’s passion for writing and for big cities converged,
and after graduating with a degree in Journalism, she decided to set out on a
journey to find her heart…just where she’d left it.
A week after her college graduation, Juliet made the big move
from a small town to New York City, where she has made her home ever since.
In between building a career in communications and writing on
the side, she’s indulged in international travel, theater and art. A wine and food buff, she’s by no means a
connoisseur, but she can give a few good restaurant recommendations if you’re
in the city.
“There’s something so inspiring about living in a city like
New York that’s so rich in culture and so very vibrant. Every neighborhood has
its own story to tell,” Juliet says. “I
often do my best plotting on the subway, just observing the lives unfolding
around me. New York truly has a billion
stories nestled between the skyscrapers.”
A proud Manhattanite, Juliet couldn’t live anywhere
else—except for Paris, perhaps—and is a gushing cat-mom to a Russian Blue mix
who was rescued as a kitten from the streets of Brooklyn.
COVER COPY
WRAPPED
Book Two, Manhattan Bound
Series
By Juliet Braddock
Sweeping through the glitz and glamour of New York’s high
society and the drama unfolding in the dressing rooms of Broadway, WRAPPED,
by Juliet Braddock, continues the journey of a young theatrical publicist’s
foray into submission under the tutelage of a dashingly dark star of the
stage. WRAPPED is the second book in The Manhattan Bound
Series.
When Drew McKenzie presents Maxine Kirk with an ultimatum,
challenging her to engage in his wanton brand of desire, she readily embraces
her awakening hunger for a lifestyle that defies her perceptions of romance.
Entranced by Drew’s charming appeal and by his sensual assault
to her senses, Maxine clamors to discover every nuance of this new
relationship, ravenous to explore verboten fantasies that seem possible to
fulfill only with Drew.
While Drew remains both confident and conscientious in his
parlay of power over Maxine, his own tragic secret lurks in every shadow upon
his path in life.
As the nightmarish details of Drew’s unimaginable life emerge,
he fears that this new world he’d begun to build with Maxine will crumble
around him.
However, as Drew opens his heart to Maxine’s unwavering
support, he questions his own bravery, wondering if she’ll take a bow and make
her exit…or if she’ll stick around for the encore?
PRAISE for WEAKENED
from
around the web
“Juliet pulled me into this story
right from the word ‘go.’ She wove a tale that's both believable and inventive,
leaving you in love and weak in the knees. There is so much passion in her
words, and care taken with the characters and story descriptions. I cannot say enough good things about this
book.”
“The writing style is witty and
literate, with crackling dialogue. Drew and Maxine are fully realized
sympathetic characters and there's an interesting cast of friends and
colleagues who I'm eager to read more of in the next book in the Manhattan
Bound series.”
“Love, love, LOVED this book
and can't wait for the next one! Drew
couldn't be a more perfect Dom, he's patient, kind…but so dominant Alpha you
can't help but drool over him.”
“These characters are so well
suited for each other you can't help but cheer for them, because the author
leaves you craving and wanting more. The
glitz and the glam of New York is the perfect setting for this beautiful well
written story.
“In love with Maxine and Drew
already, two characters silently suffering but putting on a brave face for the
world. They are both flawed and beautiful, these characters have the makings of
a wonderful love story. I couldn't stop reading this and can't wait for the
next installment.”
“The words are so well written
and the budding relationship between Maxine and Drew is beautiful. I
can't wait until the next book to see where she takes them.”
“The chemistry between Max and
Drew is off the charts!”
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