Check out the gorgeous cover for Blind Reality by Heidi McLaughlin scheduled for release on February 2nd. Reality TV fans – get ready to meet this amazing cast of characters!
Joshua Wilson, an up-and-coming movie star, is turned off by the idea of marriage. His Oscar-winning smile and breakout role in the summerās hottest romantic comedy bring in enough attention to satisfy Joshuaās cravings for the spotlight ā not to mention the never-ending supply of willing women.
Joey Mitchell is down in the dumps after finding out that her fiancĆ© cheated on her with her best friend, and is living at home with her parents until she can get back on her feet. Without Joeyās knowledge, her overbearing and neurotic mother submits an application for her to appear on the reality show, Married Blind. When the producers surprise her with the news that they have cast her, Joey wants nothing to do with the show but agrees to participate because, at this point in her life, she really has nothing to lose.
Lights, camera, action⦠Welcome to another season of Married Blind. Contestants are about to take the plunge, but only one couple will come out of the house winners!
Release Date: February 2nd
Cover designed by Sarah at Okay Creations.
I hear a few gasps and can only assume that Iām approaching where I need to be. My father hasnāt let go yet, and for that Iām thankful. Heās keeping me steady on my feet and somewhat calm, even though thoughts of hanging my mother by her pedicured toenails are filtering through my mind. If she thinks Iām going to share my winnings with her, sheās off her rocker.
Winnings? How can I even think about winning? Iām not going to be able to pretend to be okay with this for three months. And what if he likes me? What if he finds me attractive and tries to kiss me? Then what? Ninety days of purgatory thatās what. Iām so not ready to live in a house with five people I donāt know all while trying to compete for Best Betty Crocker.
The announcer clears his throat and gets the audience cheering. Behind my blindfold, Iām rolling my eyes and glaring simultaneously at my groom. I know heās standing in front of me; I can smell him. If anything, his cologne smells good, but itās probably something his production assistant told him to wear.
Is he nervous like I am? Is he sweating from standing under these heat lamps? Are his parents here, too? What made him so desperate that he had to come on national television to find a bride? Thatās the answer I want to know, but will never ask for fear of what he might say.
Neither of us should be doing this and yet here we are. I could run. I could slip off my blindfold and run without looking back. But what if heās my soul mate and I donāt know it?
What damage could three months do?
Everything!
My father places my hands into those of my groom and while I should cringe, I donāt. My fingertips, hands, wrists, arms and everywhere else tingle. I feel warm, but not from the lights. Itās a different kind of heat. My tummy flutters. My heart pounds furiously in my chest, drowning out the audience, the music blaring overhead, and the crackle of the microphone. Itās all too soon when the music stops and Iām quickly reminded that this is just a show. I shouldnāt be excited.
āDo you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, to compete with in good faith, from this day forward for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, or until three months has expired?ā
Um ⦠what? Whatās his name? Donāt I get to know his name at least?
āWhat do you say?ā the announcerās voice bellows through the microphone. I can hear mumbling from the crowd as they wait with bated breath on what Iām going to say. Do people actually come on this show and say no?
āWe need your answer.ā
I bite my lower lip and nod. If he can make me feel the way he did when he held my hand, maybe three months wonāt be so bad. āYes,ā I squeak out, my voice barely audible.
āShe said yes,ā the announcer roars, and the applause is deafening. I canāt help but smile even though Iām dying on the inside.
My groomās voice is almost as quiet as mine, making me feel somewhat better that heās just as nervous. I sigh in relief when he says yes. The crowd cheers again and the announcer pronounces us man and wife.
Here it comes. I sense my groom moving closer, and I hold my head high. His hand fumbles on my neck until he rests it gently on my cheek. The crowd is hushed and everyone is waiting for the moment that seals us. His lips brush softly against mine, and he pulls back before I feel his wet lips press against mine again, this time fully. If not for his hand, Iād be crumbling to the ground. My knees start to buckle. My palms, already damp from earlier, are sweating profusely. My heart has stopped beating, but I can hear his. This is a first kiss for the records, and the only thing missing is his face.
The announcer clears his throat and my groom steps back, much to the delight of the viewers. āThis is the moment weāve all been waiting for,ā the announcer says. I read from the rules that the groomās blindfold comes off first. Thereās a collective gasp, followed by a series of āoh my Godāsā and āthat lucky bitchā. Gee thanks, audience members. I can safely assume my groom is cute. Great, perfect. I have a cute husband who can turn my insides to goo when he holds my hand. Hopefully heās not planning on winning many competitions that require physical touching because I donāt think Iāll be able to handle it.
Someone comes up from behind me and starts to untie my blindfold. I keep my eyes closed. I want to see him fully when I open my eyes. I open them slowly, but keep them focused on the ground. Slowly, I take in what heās wearingāblack patent leather shoes, with black tuxedo pants. His hand rests at his side, and I see the glint of a wedding band and quickly look down at my own hand. Was I so lost in my rambling thoughts that I donāt remember him slipping a ring on my finger, or me giving him one?
I remind myself that this marriage is not real.
āIāll get you a bigger one,ā a familiar voice says.
My head moves up quickly, and Iām caught in the dark, smoldering eyes that Iāve studied for hours on end. I swallow hard and say, āHoly shit,ā before the darkness takes over, and I crumble to the ground in a heap.
Heidi is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author.
Originally from Portland, Oregon and raised in the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband and two daughters. Also renting space in their home is an over-hyper Beagle/Jack Russell, Buttercup, and their newest addition of a Highland Westie/Mini Schnauzer, JiLL.
During the day Heidi is behind a desk talking about Land Use. At night, she’s writing one of the many stories planned for release or sitting courtside during either daughter’s basketball games.
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ā„ Other Books by Heidi McLaughlin ā„
Forever My Girl – The Beaumont Series #1
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo
My Unexpected Forever – The Beaumont Series #2
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo
Finding My Forever – The Beaumont Series #3
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo
Finding My Way – The Beaumont Series #4
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo
My Everything – A Beaumont Series Novella
12 Days of Forever – A Beaumont Series Novella
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
Lost in Us – A Lost in You Novella
The Archer Brothers
Here with Me
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
Choose Me
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes
The Reeducation of Savannah McGuire
Third Base
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo