Momma Says: To Read or Not to Read: BOOK TOUR: Fixing Sydney by Diane Zparkki

FIXING SYDNEY

Diane Zparkki

Series: Branson's Kind of Love Book 1
Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult
Publication Date: August 1, 2016

Finding love with suspense mystery hovering over her

Sydney Sommer's world fell apart after senior prom. Since then, her life had become a constant loop of unfortunate scenarios that kept her in constant fear of what might be lurking around the next corner. Her trust in others was at a standstill. Even those who were closest to her were held at a distance.

After serving active duty overseas, Jaxon Triggs moved away from his hometown, hoping the change in scenery would help him build a new future for himself. What he wasn't expecting was to fall for a girl who was broken.

From the first moment Jaxon laid eyes on Sydney, he was curious. He became determined to do everything he could to break through the armor Sydney held around her so securely. His instinct to protect her and keep her safe kicked in as the dangers she encountered became more personal.

With dread always looming close by and secrets discovered, would Sydney be able to handle the new changes in her life yet heal at the same time?

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"Story starts off with a bang and doesn't let up."

- Emily, Goodreads Reviewer

"Diane Zparkki really manages to captivate the reader with her words and descriptions. I felt the fear, I felt the raw need, I felt the emotions come off these characters."

- Bailey Ember, Goodreads Reviewer

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Excerpt

It took us about half an hour to get to Boots and Spurs. The bar was a bit smaller than the Open Cork, but it had been there forever. It had seen a few renovations, yet the dance floor had remained the same. It had divots, scrapes, and marks all over it that told many stories. It was sunken in by two steps with a stage at one end where a band had set up to perform for the night. At the other end, around the edges of the dance floor, they had built a long, leaning bar. It had rails all along the ledge so anyone up top, watching people dancing, wouldn’t fall over onto the dancers. On the upper level, along both sides of the dance floor, were booths and bar tables with stools.

We sat at one of the bar tables and ordered a few beers before dinner. During dinner, we talked about our families, mostly mine. I told him about all the shenanigans my brothers and I had gotten into as kids and how our parents had gotten together. Jaxon told me a bit about his family—the loss of his baby sister and how his parents weren’t the most responsible. His childhood hadn’t been as pleasant as mine.

He was grateful for his best friend, Beth. Beth, a girl, a friend, and not a girlfriend. Why was my stomach doing belly flops when he spoke of her? He said he hadn’t had any contact with her since he had enlisted.

I recognized these feeling when he spoke of her, even though I hadn’t had them in a long time. I was jealous of the girl who’d had him first, a girl he claimed he had no romantic feelings for. Thank goodness this girl wasn’t around. I didn’t think I could have dealt with that.

It felt like a real date, something normal. Normal was something I hadn’t felt in a very long time.

After dinner, we ordered a shot of tequila, maybe two, and another beer. The music started to play, and my feet wouldn’t stop moving.

“Do you wanna dance?” he asked.

I jumped up off the stool at the offer and started to sway right there. “I thought you would never ask.”

Jaxon started to laugh. “Oh, I don’t dance, but you go ahead. I’ll pay the dinner bill and come on over to the railing to watch from there.”

“Will you dance with me if it’s slow?” I knew I’d had one too many drinks, but it felt good not to worry and just have fun. I knew Jaxon would watch out for me.

“I’ll slow dance with you,” he promised.

I pushed my way between his legs, the table at my back. He laid his hands on my ass as I leaned in and sealed his promise with a wet, hard kiss that had him fighting his grip. When I pulled away, I could hear him laughing again. He had a great laugh.

I found some girls I recognized as regulars from the Cork, and they invited me to dance with them. It was different being on this side of the bar and being one of those feel-good students.

Jaxon stood by the railing with a beer, watching me. Every now and then, he would give me a wink, a smile, or tip his beer at me. I knew what he was doing. He was laying claim. I had seen it done time and time again from behind the bar at the Cork.

I started to pay attention to the women and noticed a group of girls standing by Jaxon, trying their hardest to gain his attention. Two could play this game. It was my turn to lay claim to my man.

I walked on over from the middle of the dance floor and put my boot up on the ridge of the wall where Jaxon stood. I gripped the rail and hoisted myself up with Jaxon’s help to keep me steady since the ledge was between us.

I grabbed his face and pulled him in for a long, hard kiss, adding a lot of tongue. It was a good thing the railing was between us.

When I pulled away, I informed him, “Now they know you’re with me, too.”

He let his head fall back with another great laugh.

I also hijacked the rest of his beer, bringing it back to the dance floor with me.

After a few more songs, I felt someone put their arm around my waist. That brought me to a quick sober.

“It’s me,” Jaxon said. “Sorry, babe. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

Unwilling for this night to be destroyed by an overreaction, I turned to face him, noticing the music had slowed down. “Did you come to pay up on your promise, Jax?” I slipped my arms around his neck as he looked down at me and put his arms around my back, resting just above my ass. God, they felt good there.

“A promise is a promise. Here I am.”

Cole Swindell’s “Swayin’ ” played in the background as Jaxon took one of my hands from around his neck, wrapped his hand over mine, and laid it flat against his chest, holding it there.

I looked up at him. “Jaxon…”

“Yeah, babe?” His voice was smooth and calming.

“You have beautiful fuckin’ eyes,” I told him.

He grinned down at me and pulled me in closer, kissing my forehead before telling me, “You’re cut off.”

I giggled, feeling incredibly happy, and I knew he was, too, because that sure wasn’t a gun in his pocket.

Book Tour

Join the Book Tour from May 23 - June 5, 2018.

Join us and visit each tour stop daily! Discover features, excerpts, reviews, interviews, fun facts and more.

Check the latest tour schedule at the Fixing Sydney Book Page.

About Diane Zparkki

I was born and raised in the greater Toronto area and raised my own family in the suburbs of the city. I'm a busy working mom with writing being my second full time job. With my husband, we have raised three great kids. Who constantly keep me on my toes and laughing. I enjoy planning themed parties and traveling with my family creating memories. Thrill seeking of some sort is always on the menu which I usually drags my family along with me. Going to the movies is always a good night out or curling up with a book and a steaming cup of tea. I have been known to do some Netflix binge watching.

I was never a big reader or writer in my youth-Coles Notes were my best friend throughout college. My enthusiasm for reading came later in life when I joined a book club. I enjoyed reading those initial books that got me hooked into the literary world, but I wanted raw, simple, and happily ever after with a bit of get down and dirty. That was when my love for Alpha bad boys on a Harley was set in motion.

After becoming an avid reader, my mind started to create my first story, and I needed to get it out.

Fixing Sydney and Holden's Regrets are the first two of Branson's Kind of Love Trilogy. I hope you enjoy Sydney and Holden's stories with Logan's coming in the near future.

Official website: https://www.dianezparkki.com/

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