I’m so excited it’s officially launch day. In celebration of my newest release, I’ll be sharing a sneak peek below. But first, ICYMI:

Into the Light is a second chance contemporary romance novel that follows former lovers Shay Woodward and Jeremy McAllister.

In Shay’s words: “I never expected to see him again. Jeremy McAllister. From the day we met, he painted my world with vivid colors. He was my first love, my first everything, until that fateful day when circumstances tore us apart. And now, he’s standing across the room. All these years later a chance encounter has brought us together again. When our eyes meet I know in that moment he is lost to me. The light I once saw is gone. And only resentment remains. I’m determined to reach the boy who once loved me with a passion so bright it rivaled the sun. But the man he’s become is just as determined to push me away, into the darkness.”

And now, read on for a preview of Chapter 2.

I was born to dance. Those were the words of my first ballet instructor, Marta. I was only five years old, but my mother clung to Marta’s wisdom and made it her mission to fulfill my potential. So, it’s hard not to move in time to the music as I hurry down the courtroom steps. But I have not danced in seven years, ever since I withdrew my acceptance to Juilliard.

For a moment, I let my mind travel back in time. The idyllic snow-covered streets. My black patent leather Mary Janes with their delicate satin bows leaving footprints as we walked. My father holding my gloved hand in his. He took me to see a Broadway performance of The Nutcracker. It was just the two of us, and my first theater experience. Nothing could prepare me for the sheer magic. It was not the Sugar Plum Fairy with her sparkly wings or the sinister Mouse King that came to life. I was mesmerized by the ballerinas and the grace with which they moved. Standing on their toes with their legs reaching the sky, their skirts billowing as they twirled and leaped, I thought they were the most beautiful sight. Even at that young age, I knew I was witnessing something exceptional. And I decided that day when I grew up, I wanted to be a dancer.

Some things aren’t meant to be.

I deposit a few bills into the violin case of the street musician and he gives me a grateful nod. Then I go in search of a cab. Traffic is heavy but cabs are few and far between. My irritation grows as I hold out my arm, but to no avail. I’m late, and there’s nothing more I hate than running late. Judge Klein was heavy on the lectures today. And once we adjourned, my client had an endless supply of questions. Normally I would be happy to spend an hour going through each item on her list, but not today. Now I’m running behind. I glance at my watch and debate if I should just show up to Veronica’s engagement party in my business suit. The one that smells of stale coffee from my earlier spill, with wrinkles that rival Judge Klein’s given I’ve been sitting in court the latter part of the afternoon. I think Veronica would understand if I missed the first twenty minutes of cocktail hour. And she’s expecting quite a turnout, so she may not even notice.

My mother engrained the importance of punctuality since I was a young girl, among many other social etiquettes. Just to annoy her I used to take my time, drawing out the minutes as long as I could until she tapped her foot with impatience and used that clipped tone that implied I’d better do as she said or there would be consequences. I grew tired of paying the price, so for better or worse, I embraced her lesson.

“Victoria? Is that you?”

At first, I don’t realize the woman is talking to me. Few people call me Victoria. She takes a step closer.

“Victoria, Genevieve Rossum.”

“Oh, hello.”

She gives me the once over. I try not to do the same, but it’s hard to miss the pearls around her neck and the quilted Chanel handbag on her arm that likely cost as much as my last settlement.

“You look wonderful, dear. Chicago suits you.”

“Oh, thank you.”

Just then a cab pulls up and she opens the door and slides in.

“Do tell Eleanor I say hello.”

Of course, a friend of my mother’s would steal my cab. Eleanor Woodward is a complicated woman, and much to my chagrin, she is also my mother. She often lamented my mission was to spite her, just as hers was to make my life miserable. I try to speak to her as little as possible, yet somehow she manages to meddle in my affairs, even from afar.

Ten minutes later I’m able to flag down another cab. The cost is much cheaper than an Uber during rush hour. Traffic is crawling and my nerves are on edge. As long as I’m stuck here, I may as well be productive, so I use the time to catch up on my emails. A few minutes later a text notification flashes on my screen.

Corey:             Want to meet for drinks later?

Me:                  Can’t. Tonight is Veronica’s engagement party.

Corey:             Aww, another time. Have fun. Maybe you’ll snag a cute groomsman

Me:                  Maybe

Corey:             Open mind. Remember?

Me:                  Always. xoxo

And I do always try to keep an open mind. I just never succeed.

Once the cab drops me off, I dash upstairs. I slip on a black sheath dress, freshen my makeup, and finger comb my chestnut, shoulder length hair to give it a tousled look. Then I begin the task of hailing another cab. At least this time I don’t have to wait. On the ride over to the restaurant I reflect on how much has changed in the past few months. I am so happy Veronica and Rob found their happy ending. She and I became friends volunteering at Chicago Hopes for Kids. We’re alike in a lot of ways, so when she told me she was going to be living with a man she just met I thought she was crazy. But still, I encouraged her to go for it. It was clear to me she felt an immense connection with him. And I know firsthand how rare that is to find—and lose. They had a tumultuous love affair that ended up with him saving her, in every way that matters. I wish I could find someone who would dive headfirst into the fire for me. I thought I’d found him, but I turned out to be very wrong. A picture of Jeremy forms in my mind and the hollow spot in my chest grows larger. I attempt to push down the ball of remorse, but it has a life of its own, threatening to choke me until I can’t breathe. Whenever I think of Jeremy I’m overwhelmed by the depths of my sorrow, even after all this time. Not tonight. Tonight is about celebrating the love between two people I care about. And I won’t let him ruin that. It’s about looking forward, something I know I need to do.

I pay the cabbie, smooth out my dress, and take a deep breath. Veronica and Rob rented out the entire restaurant. I get in line for the coat check and scan the room, looking for someone I know. Keep an open mind. I grab a cocktail from a passing waiter and make my way over to Veronica.

“Shay! I’m so glad you could come.”

“Of course I’d be here,” I tell her as I give her a quick hug. “Where’s Rob?”

“He’s around here somewhere. I’m so excited I can finally introduce you to his business partner. I think you two would hit it off.”

She’s mentioned Rob’s business partner on a handful of occasions. I know they met in college and he’s Rob’s closest friend. I’ve always changed the subject when she’s brought it up. I sensed she wanted to play matchmaker. But I guess there’s no avoiding it tonight. 

“Oh, there they are now,” she says.

I watch as Rob approaches. He is extremely handsome, and with his tall frame and strong build, he turns heads wherever he goes. But tonight, he’s not the man who’s caught my attention. It’s the man by his side. My head swims as though the earth just tilted on its axis. I am momentarily frozenꟷmy legs rooted in place. I can’t breathe, let alone move. But my heart still beats wildly in my chest. My pulse races. Every cell in my body prickles with awareness. When our eyes meet time stands still. There’s a whooshing in my ears and everything else fades away. But he’s in vivid color. For a brief moment something flickers in his emerald green eyes. I know it the moment the light is extinguished. A shadow crosses his features. The chill dances across my skin and I pull my wrap tighter around me. He gives me the briefest of head nods. Just a sliver of an acknowledgement. Then he whispers something to Rob and disappears. He has walked away from me, just as he did all those years ago.

Like what you read? Order your copy today from Amazon or your favorite e-tailer.

The post Book Launch Day! appeared first on J B Glazer.