Jennifer's Taking a Break: Irreparably Broken by H. D’Agostino

Irreparably Broken

H. D'Agostino

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Madison Kennedy has always seen herself as damaged goods. Her ex-boyfriend, Richard, told her on a daily basis that she was worthless. After a tumultuous three year relationship, Maddie finally decided to leave behind the bruises and hurtful words only to find herself scared and alone. Five years have passed, and it still seems like yesterday.

Cole Walker grew up in a household where it was okay to hit. His father used him, his mother, and sister as punching bags when he didn’t get his way. Cole learned early on that life wasn’t always fair. Aside from his best friend, Wes, no one knew his deepest secrets. He thought he’d never escape the nightmare until one day he decided to fight back.

After several chance encounters, Cole and Maddie realize they have more in common than either one could have guessed, but both are afraid that if they open up they’ll scare the other away. Can two broken individuals find peace with each other? Can love heal a cracked soul? Will Cole’s secret past ultimately drive Maddie away?

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Official Book Trailer

Trailer on Animoto

Excerpt #1

I wasn’t sure what I was feeling when I left the gym that day. Exhaustion? Happiness? Desire? Lust? I didn’t think it could be love, but I knew it was something. Cole had burrowed his way into my heart, and each day he got a little deeper. I smiled to myself as I climbed into my car. Friday’s date couldn’t get here fast enough. The more time I spent with Cole, the more I wanted to be with him. He was shining a light in my life that I didn’t even know existed anymore, and because of it I was off my usual game.
I’d always been aware in the past of anyone around me, and if I’d been paying attention instead daydreaming when I left the gym that night I would have notice the black Mercedes parked across the street and the feeling of dread that tried to settle in the pit of my stomach. I’d pushed it aside instead of listening to it, and I’ve been kicking myself ever since.

These two characters seem to be people that would know exactly what the other is going through and should be able to see the pain that they are hiding. However, sometimes you can't see what is right in front of your face. This was a story that is difficult to get through without getting upset, crying and yet wanting to reach out and help these people. Cole has had to suffer at the hands of his father (along with the rest of the family for years). Maddie had to suffer at the hands of her ex. These two people are covered with scars, those that can be seen, and those that can't.

Maddie is still so very protective of herself due to her background, that she has a problem with someone wanting to be there and try to help her out. She doesn't see herself as worth anyone's time and effort like that. She has been on high alert for so long, will she be able to let down the walls long enough for Cole to sneak in??

Cole is trying so hard to move forward and get out there with his life and not let his father stop him from living. However will he be able to be honest about his past and tell Maddie the truth? Will be be able to scale the walls that she has built around herself? Will he be able to keep her safe?

Be warned, this is a cliffhanger of a book!!!

Excerpt #2

“Hey, no sleeping yet,” Cole nudged me as we turned into the parking lot of his building. It had only been a few hours since I’d been here, but it felt like a lifetime. “Let’s get you upstairs and into something more comfortable.”
“I don’t have anything here…what would I change into?” I turned to glance at him. He had a smirk firmly in place as he snickered, “Exactly!”
“Cole!” I gasped.
“What?” he rolled his eyes before turning to face me completely. “You’re beautiful,” he lifted his arms. “Why is it so hard for you to think that I don’t enjoy you naked?”
I could feel my face heating, and I began twisting my hands together in my lap. Cole grunted slightly as he shoved open his door and rounded the front appearing on my side before I had a chance to react.
“I guess…” I trailed off.
“What?” he reached for my hand to help me out and then tucked me into his side as he led me to the door. “What’s going on in there?” he pointed to my head. “Tell me…please?”
“Richard always said I was a lousy girlfriend,” I let the words fly out of my mouth without taking a breath. I avoided looking at him, worried at what I might see when I did.
He paused with his hand on the door knob as he quickly shook his head, “That asshole didn’t know what he was talking about.” He quickly unlocked the door, and tugged me in behind him before pressing me into the wall, and covering me with his body. “You are the sexiest thing alive, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself last night. Don’t you ever question your abilities when it comes to fucking. You’re brilliant…you hear me. Fucking brilliant, and I want an encore right now.”
As his lips pressed to mine in a deep kiss, his palms slid around my middle and dipped into the back out my scrub pants cupping my rear. He began kneading the soft flesh as he pulled me into him. “Oh god I want you,” he groaned as he broke the kiss. “Right now!” He yanked his hands out, and gripped my top in the process, tossing is over my head. Our mouths crashed back together before we both fumbled with each other’s pants. He was wearing a pair of athletic shorts, and as soon as I loosened the drawstring, they easily slid over his hips. His erection sprung free pointing directly where it wanted to be, and I shivered in anticipation. “So beautiful,” he murmured as his mouth moved to run across my throat. He rolled his hips forward, rubbing his cock through the wetness that was slowly leaking down my thigh. “And so ready,” he growl as a finger pushed into me.

Ten Fun Facts

1. I never imagined myself an author growing up. I wanted to be a teacher, and that's what I did for 6 years, and what I went to school for.
2. As an adult, I've never had a problem with making a fool out of myself, but as a kid it terrified me.
3. I rarely ask people for help. If I do, you know it's got to be pretty bad. I'm fiercely independent.
4. My son and daughter are replicates of myself and my hubby. People tell us we created a set of "mini mes".
5. I love okra. My kids hate it, and refuse to eat it when I cook it. That's ok though because I can eat the entire bag by myself.
6. The first thing I do in the morning is drink my coffee. I refuse to talk to anyone until I have my mug in hand. I need it to survive.
7. I grew up in the South, but now live in the North. I can't stand the heat when I go home to visit. I don't know how I survived growing up in it.
8. I'm a Catholic that goes to Mass every week. I know it's hard to believe with the books I write, but it's true. If I miss Mass, it means I'm sick.
9. Being alone doesn't bother me. I enjoy the quiet when I have the house to myself. I could spend the entire day by myself.
10. I play the flute. I learned when I was 12 and played all the way through college. I haven't played in many years, but it's like riding a bike...you don't forget you just get rusty.
***Bonus*** I'm human, just like my readers. I love interacting with them, and enjoy the messages I receive through social media.

About the Author

Amazon best-selling author of the Second Chances series and the Shattered Trilogy, Heather D’Agostino writes contemporary and new adult romance set in Boston, New York, and North Carolina. Heather has always enjoyed creative writing, but never pursued it as a career option. Born and raised in Harrisburg, NC she received a BA in Elementary Education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. After teaching for six years, she decided to leave the profession to be a stay-at-home mom. After finding the world of Fan Fiction, Heather decided to “get her feet wet” in the literary world. With much encouragement and inspiration from the Fan Fiction world, she made the decision to publish her work. Heather prides herself in the fact that her books have real life situations with believable characters.
These characters could be your best friend or your next door neighbor. Her first book, Unbreak Me, has been welcomed with open arms into the self-published community giving her the encouragement needed to continue to pursue this dream. Heather currently lives in Syracuse, NY with her husband, two children, two dogs, and three cats. She enjoys spending time with her family, watching sports, and playing chauffeur for all her children’s activities.