Synopsis
I am Arie Belle and up until my mother’s unexpected and mysterious death my life had been pretty simple, but then things became dark and, at times, hopeless. Even my uncanny ability to communicate with nature had turned its back on me. My only saving grace is my lifetime friendship with the boy next door, River, whom I had always thought of as my soul mate up until my eighteenth birthday when everything seemed to change. My body tingles with heightened sensations and my emotions veer out of control. They are further tested when Ashe, a beautiful stranger with a powerful draw, enters my life and challenges my heart and soul. Amidst the rush of feelings after years of numbness, my true destiny slowly unravels and my journey to find out what I am, to find my mother’s killer, and stop my own death becomes a frantic rush before the next full moon.
This powerful story encaptures the true meaning of love and the dark corners of life that can either suck you in or save you.
I am Arie Belle and up until my mother’s unexpected and mysterious death my life had been pretty simple, but then things became dark and, at times, hopeless. Even my uncanny ability to communicate with nature had turned its back on me. My only saving grace is my lifetime friendship with the boy next door, River, whom I had always thought of as my soul mate up until my eighteenth birthday when everything seemed to change. My body tingles with heightened sensations and my emotions veer out of control. They are further tested when Ashe, a beautiful stranger with a powerful draw, enters my life and challenges my heart and soul. Amidst the rush of feelings after years of numbness, my true destiny slowly unravels and my journey to find out what I am, to find my mother’s killer, and stop my own death becomes a frantic rush before the next full moon.
This powerful story encaptures the true meaning of love and the dark corners of life that can either suck you in or save you.
EXCERPTS
“I closed my eyes and let the music surround me and slowly enter every pore of my body. It invaded my soul and erased my thoughts. I started to move with the music, letting myself go, including letting go of the pain. I could feel the energy around me grow more intense as the chorus began. Bodies started rubbing up against me, but I kept my eyes closed and focused on the energy building inside of me, the feeling of release and freedom.” ~Reality
“I don’t know what it was about today, but I was starting to feel alive again. My body was responding in ways it never had before. I let him hold me for what seemed like an eternity. Time turned into hours rather than minutes and my breathing became irregular. My vision turned crisp and clear among the darkness and shadows of night. River turned me around and touched my face gently. His fingertips caused electric shocks to pass over my skin. I closed my eyes and let the chill of the night be swallowed by the heat generating between us. I could hear the creatures of the night dancing across the broken fall leaves on the ground and the hoots of owls that filled the tree lines. I swear I could even hear the whisper of baby birds being tucked into their nests. All of my senses seemed to be heightened and I was enjoying every moment of it. A soft pressure pushed on my lips and I could taste the sweetness of River. The tingle on my lips erupted into explosions as I responded desperately. The passion between us rose by the second as if our bodies had been waiting an eternity for us to kiss again. His hands crawled down my back increasing the intensity of the moment. My hands had become limp in the embrace, but now came alive and found his face and locks of hair. I felt more alive in this moment then I had in years. I wanted more! River pushed me up against the car as the desperation in our kiss intensified. And then it was quiet. The rustling of the leaves stopped, the owls went silent, and the quiet whispers of the birds ceased.” ~Reality
“I felt like a butterfly with broken wings, and River was trying to mend me back together. But after a butterfly’s wings are broken it was destined to live a life without flight, and fate’s destiny for me was not to fly. I would never soar above the sorrow and be free from the guilt of those surrounding me whom I would drown in pain.” ~Reality
“I saw River staring at me as I watched the butterflies. I turned to him and got caught within the depths of his eyes. His stare bore deep into my soul. We sat like that for what seemed an eternity. My body burned from the inside out. My heart raced. My mind was anticipating what my body wanted. I couldn't think. All I could do was stare into his eyes, begging for him to feel the same way. The butterflies continued to circle around us, but they seemed to be fluttering faster as if they were anticipating the moment too. Right at the moment I thought my body was going to explode if something didn't happen, he took his hand and grazed the side of my face. His touch sent electric shocks through my cheek and down my body. His hand followed my jaw line and his thumb outlined my lips on its way to my neck. He gripped the back of my neck gently and leaned into me as he pulled my face toward his. He paused and looked into my eyes as if waiting for me to say no. I didn't think I could wait any longer for this moment to happen. My heart was pounding so hard I felt like I could barely breathe. The eternal pause ended and his lips brushed mine. I thought I was going to pass out as I inhaled him. How could one moment be so intense! He brushed his lips against mine for a few moments as if, again, waiting for me to protest. I couldn't handle it anymore. I pressed my lips against his and he responded back. I felt like that kissed lasted for hours. It was so soft and slow and perfect.” ~Reality
“He brushed his fingers through my damp hair and then unexpectedly pressed his lips on mine. It instantly felt like he was breathing new life into me. As I inhaled his kiss, my lungs burned for more.
I grabbed the back of his neck and forced him on top of me. He responded hungrily. His hands explored my hips and thighs as our intimacy deepened. I was breathing so hard now that I could barely catch a breath. He made my whole body feel alive with every touch. I found the bottom of his shirt and pulled it over his head. He willingly accepted where this moment was taking us. I outlined his perfectly chiseled abs with my fingers and reached down for the button on his jeans. He squeezed my hips in anticipation. He released his lips from mine and followed the contours of my cheekbones to my jawbone and playfully nibbled, which caused me to dig my nails into his sides, immersed in pleasure.” ~Reality
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“I closed my eyes and let the music surround me and slowly enter every pore of my body. It invaded my soul and erased my thoughts. I started to move with the music, letting myself go, including letting go of the pain. I could feel the energy around me grow more intense as the chorus began. Bodies started rubbing up against me, but I kept my eyes closed and focused on the energy building inside of me, the feeling of release and freedom.” ~Reality
“I don’t know what it was about today, but I was starting to feel alive again. My body was responding in ways it never had before. I let him hold me for what seemed like an eternity. Time turned into hours rather than minutes and my breathing became irregular. My vision turned crisp and clear among the darkness and shadows of night. River turned me around and touched my face gently. His fingertips caused electric shocks to pass over my skin. I closed my eyes and let the chill of the night be swallowed by the heat generating between us. I could hear the creatures of the night dancing across the broken fall leaves on the ground and the hoots of owls that filled the tree lines. I swear I could even hear the whisper of baby birds being tucked into their nests. All of my senses seemed to be heightened and I was enjoying every moment of it. A soft pressure pushed on my lips and I could taste the sweetness of River. The tingle on my lips erupted into explosions as I responded desperately. The passion between us rose by the second as if our bodies had been waiting an eternity for us to kiss again. His hands crawled down my back increasing the intensity of the moment. My hands had become limp in the embrace, but now came alive and found his face and locks of hair. I felt more alive in this moment then I had in years. I wanted more! River pushed me up against the car as the desperation in our kiss intensified. And then it was quiet. The rustling of the leaves stopped, the owls went silent, and the quiet whispers of the birds ceased.” ~Reality
“I felt like a butterfly with broken wings, and River was trying to mend me back together. But after a butterfly’s wings are broken it was destined to live a life without flight, and fate’s destiny for me was not to fly. I would never soar above the sorrow and be free from the guilt of those surrounding me whom I would drown in pain.” ~Reality
“I saw River staring at me as I watched the butterflies. I turned to him and got caught within the depths of his eyes. His stare bore deep into my soul. We sat like that for what seemed an eternity. My body burned from the inside out. My heart raced. My mind was anticipating what my body wanted. I couldn't think. All I could do was stare into his eyes, begging for him to feel the same way. The butterflies continued to circle around us, but they seemed to be fluttering faster as if they were anticipating the moment too. Right at the moment I thought my body was going to explode if something didn't happen, he took his hand and grazed the side of my face. His touch sent electric shocks through my cheek and down my body. His hand followed my jaw line and his thumb outlined my lips on its way to my neck. He gripped the back of my neck gently and leaned into me as he pulled my face toward his. He paused and looked into my eyes as if waiting for me to say no. I didn't think I could wait any longer for this moment to happen. My heart was pounding so hard I felt like I could barely breathe. The eternal pause ended and his lips brushed mine. I thought I was going to pass out as I inhaled him. How could one moment be so intense! He brushed his lips against mine for a few moments as if, again, waiting for me to protest. I couldn't handle it anymore. I pressed my lips against his and he responded back. I felt like that kissed lasted for hours. It was so soft and slow and perfect.” ~Reality
“He brushed his fingers through my damp hair and then unexpectedly pressed his lips on mine. It instantly felt like he was breathing new life into me. As I inhaled his kiss, my lungs burned for more.
I grabbed the back of his neck and forced him on top of me. He responded hungrily. His hands explored my hips and thighs as our intimacy deepened. I was breathing so hard now that I could barely catch a breath. He made my whole body feel alive with every touch. I found the bottom of his shirt and pulled it over his head. He willingly accepted where this moment was taking us. I outlined his perfectly chiseled abs with my fingers and reached down for the button on his jeans. He squeezed my hips in anticipation. He released his lips from mine and followed the contours of my cheekbones to my jawbone and playfully nibbled, which caused me to dig my nails into his sides, immersed in pleasure.” ~Reality
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Author Bio
My passion for writing started at a very young age. It started with a multitude of diaries as soon as I could, then poetry, then short stories. I received my BA at USC in Theatre with an unofficial minor in writing. While at USC I wrote my first screenplay and post-graduation I was hired to write another screenplay, which I did successfully. Life got busy and my passion was pushed aside, but then I met an amazing person who loved my story and encouraged me to start writing again. With that said, I am in a happier place now. I am fulfilling my inner desire and passion to write. I just self-published book one in The Life of Arie series and am currently working on book two. I am also working on an adult dark romance.
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My passion for writing started at a very young age. It started with a multitude of diaries as soon as I could, then poetry, then short stories. I received my BA at USC in Theatre with an unofficial minor in writing. While at USC I wrote my first screenplay and post-graduation I was hired to write another screenplay, which I did successfully. Life got busy and my passion was pushed aside, but then I met an amazing person who loved my story and encouraged me to start writing again. With that said, I am in a happier place now. I am fulfilling my inner desire and passion to write. I just self-published book one in The Life of Arie series and am currently working on book two. I am also working on an adult dark romance.
Find on Facebook
Reviewed by Char
I was given this book to review by Rose’s Book Snobs in exchange for my honest opinion.
I have just recently started reading YA fantasy novels, and I have not been disappointed yet by any author. Dani Hart was able to keep my attention throughout the complete book. This story is about a girl named Arie that as always suspected she was different then other girls her age. She has a connection with nature that is not normal for humans, she can hear and feel nature. She is a loner and does not have many friends she does not like to open up to people. On her 16th birthday her Mother dies and she is left alone no other family to speak of. She does however have her neighbor River, his family and her best friend Star. When she turns 18 her world turns upside down and she begins to question who she is. Now she questions was her Mother’s death a murder? Her love for River is being tested by a new guy Ashe, she feels drawn to him like he is her other half. This story is an emotional rollercoaster, be prepared and have a box of Kleenex handy! This story will have you question everything, you think you have it figured out and then here comes a twist! But Dani does answer your questions here and there throughout the book so you are not left completely hanging. This story was very well written and such an adventure all around great story and great characters. I look forward to reading more in the life of Arie … please tell me Dani that there is more to the story…… I was very pleased with this book and would highly recommend it to all ages!
I give this book 4.5 stars
I was given this book to review by Rose’s Book Snobs in exchange for my honest opinion.
I have just recently started reading YA fantasy novels, and I have not been disappointed yet by any author. Dani Hart was able to keep my attention throughout the complete book. This story is about a girl named Arie that as always suspected she was different then other girls her age. She has a connection with nature that is not normal for humans, she can hear and feel nature. She is a loner and does not have many friends she does not like to open up to people. On her 16th birthday her Mother dies and she is left alone no other family to speak of. She does however have her neighbor River, his family and her best friend Star. When she turns 18 her world turns upside down and she begins to question who she is. Now she questions was her Mother’s death a murder? Her love for River is being tested by a new guy Ashe, she feels drawn to him like he is her other half. This story is an emotional rollercoaster, be prepared and have a box of Kleenex handy! This story will have you question everything, you think you have it figured out and then here comes a twist! But Dani does answer your questions here and there throughout the book so you are not left completely hanging. This story was very well written and such an adventure all around great story and great characters. I look forward to reading more in the life of Arie … please tell me Dani that there is more to the story…… I was very pleased with this book and would highly recommend it to all ages!
I give this book 4.5 stars