A look into Chapter Eight of Entertaining Angels:
I pushed people aside on my way out the door. I didn’t want anyone seeing me cry, especially not Zach. I had to get out of there. I’d walk home if I had to.
I was almost to the door, but her voice stopped me cold. “Well, if Madison Andrews hasn’t joined my party. I thought you didn’t venture far away from that little nerd of yours.”
My body stilled at the shrill, grating sound of Ashley’s voice. Oh, how I hated her! I knew it was wrong, but I did. So many snarky comebacks popped into my mind, but I didn’t say anything. It was probably best to keep my mouth shut because I didn’t want to start anything else. It was bad enough I had to see her at school. If we fought, it would be a whole lot worse, so I kept walking.
“Where are you going, cow? To cry on your nerd’s shoulder?”
Everyone around her started laughing. Hot tears stung my eyes, but I bit them back and kept walking.
“Oh come on. It’s my party. You can’t ignore me.”
I turned around. “Leave me alone, Ashley.”
“Oh, she speaks. Where are you running off to?”
“I’m tired.”
“Are you sure it isn’t because someone’s attention is on someone else? I saw them on the dance floor. They looked mighty cozy.” Her smile grew wide and menacing. “Or is it because no one wants you here? Face it, Madison, you’re a nobody, and you don’t deserve to be at this party.”
A few tears rolled down my cheeks, and I walked outside and sucked in the hot, humid night air. I was suffocating, unable to get a deep breath, but I pressed forward. I wouldn’t let them know how much they’d hurt me. People were laughing behind me, and I just wanted to leave.
“Mads!”
Chase’s voice rose through the cacophony of voices, music, and laughter. I ran to him and found myself in his strong arms. Safe.
“What happened?” His body was tense and was ready for a fight.
“Will you take me home?”
“Mads.”
“Chase, I’ll explain it in the car. Please, just take me home.”
He nodded and led me to his vehicle after glaring at the people watching us. He opened the door for me, and I slid in the passenger seat where I finally gave in and let myself cry.
ABOUT THE BOOKS
ENTERTAINING ANGELS
Madison Andrews can’t face her reflection in the mirror. All she sees is a big, fat nobody. Yet, deep inside she longs for something more, something that’s not skin deep.Along comes Zach, the new guy in school. He’s smoking hot and totally out of her league. She somehow catches his eye, and he makes her feel beautiful for once. But just as she gets close to Zach, her nerdy best friend, Chase, won’t let Madison doubt her true beauty, no matter how many meals she skips.Even as Madison begins to realize that she is more than what she thinks, darker forces are at work, darker than the lies and mocking from her peers, stopping her from amounting to her full potential. Can Madison find true happiness in her own skin?
BEFORE WE SAY I DO
Following the best-selling first book of the series, Entertaining Angels, comes Before We Say I Do, An Entertaining Angels Short Story.Chase Sanders and Madison Andrews are about to declare their love for one another in the most sacred of ways. Everything has been going perfectly, especially when an old friend returns to town to stand by Chase’s side on their big day. But is Zach there to see their union, or is he concealing the truth of why he’s actually back in town?Chase has lived perfectly fine without his father around, but now that his father is divorcing again, he is seeking forgiveness. Chase can’t look at his father, let alone forgive him.Before Chase and Mads can say “I Do,” Chase must first learn to let go of the past before the dark forces that haunt his nightmares come to life.*This is a short story and isn't a prequel to Entertaining Angels. In order to understand it, you'll need to read Entertaining Angels first.*
About the Author
Emerald Barnes graduated with a B.A. in English with an emphasis on Creative Writing at Mississippi University for Women. She resides in a small town in Mississippi and has the accent to prove it.
She mainly writes suspense/thrillers in the YA genre, but she dabbles in other genres and her books are enjoyed by all ages! She’s constantly working on new novels and has more ideas than she knows what to do with. She blogs which takes up more of her time than she anticipates but loves it so very much! She’s also a volunteer at the World Literary Cafe which is amazing, and she is a crazy grammar nazi who proofreads novels!
She’s an auntie to three beautiful nieces and two handsome nephews who take up the other half of her time, but she couldn’t imagine spending her time in any other way!
She’s a Whovian, a little bit of a nerd, a reader, a writer, and a family-oriented person. God is number One in her life, and she thanks Him continuously for His love and favor.
Realist Dr. Carla Harris believes that people create their own fate through hard work and careful planning. She believes in playing things safe. But, while preparing for her upcoming nuptials, she’s forced to confront the most reckless thing she’s ever done…her estranged husband, Jacob.
