Double Down and Dirty by L.A. Lewis

Jade Bordeaux escaped her Southern Baptist family and moved to New York because they would never respect the choices she made or the secret she kept. The Big Apple and her new modeling career proved to be more adventurous than her life in Baton Rouge. Excitement flowed through everything from the towering landscapes, wonderful opportunities, and especially in the form of handsome CEO Sean Wright. Dating him takes an unfortunate turn when his sister's dance to the rhythm of revenge becomes a tune she's hell-bent on sharing with her family and the people they love.

In a matter of weeks, Jade's life takes an uncertain and dangerous turn. Nothing prepared her for the call which stirs emotions Jade thought she'd buried. The former Governor of Louisiana has denied her existence since birth and now makes a life-altering request that fills Jade with resentment. Jade built her success and happiness by making hard choices, even ones that cause heartbreak. Unfortunately, she never imagined that any of those choices could lead to the death of someone she loves.

Jade soon learns in the game of life, sometimes playing Double Down and Dirty is the only way to win.

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Reader Reviews

Double Down and Dirty by L.A. Lewis, is impressively developed. It starts off with a bang and continues to engulf you throughout the entire story. The characters are well developed and memorable. It will arouse your senses and affect each emotion simultaneously. Things get real messy as New York and Louisiana collide, but nobody does it better than L.A., to put it all into perspective. It's a drama filled ride that you won't want to get off of until you read the last word!

-- Christine Pauls, Author of To Begin Again and Belinda's Song


Smiling faces tell lies...and I got proof.. L.A Lewis has penned her best novel to date. Set against the backdrop of New York City's beautiful vistas with scenes from Louisiana interspersed, she takes the reader on an odyssey with two people who appear to have made it to the pinnacle of their respective fields.

Jade left her past in Louisiana and used her looks, ingenuity and dogged determination to reinvent herself. Sean initially wants her face for his latest advertising campaign. ..until he falls for the woman behind the exquisite face, voice and body.

However, every body connected to them is a liar or a schemer. No one is rooting for this relationship. Jade and Sean become embroiled in ancient and current family dramas, are betrayed on multiple occasions. Situations that make you shake your head and mutter a few obscene phrases. These families need Olivia Pope and her entire team to straighten out this mess, untangle the lies and deceptions.

LA Lewis keeps the pressure on until the last page of the book. Who will survive? Who will be exposed? Can love overcome hate, destructive behavior, and self inflicted wounds? You won't be able to put the book down until you answer all the questions.

-- Joyce A. Brown, Author of Getting Away With Everything

Jade focused on the sound of her heels clicking with each step, trying to ignore the tingle of pleasure she felt, which signaled he was keenly aware of her every movement. Thanks to her mother, who blessed her with a tiny waistline and a rear end that would make even the most famous posteriors look like a piece of cardboard, Jade became accustomed to the appreciative looks that went along with being country-bred and country fed.

Halfway up, Sean's baritone voice sliced through the silence in the elevator. "Ms. Bordeaux,"

"Yes." She put her focus on the numbers above the doors, but felt his gaze narrow on her as he asked, "Am I really so bad?"

Jade thought about her response until the chime from the elevator echoed. She couldn't have been happier to have an excuse to avoid that question.

"Right this way," Jade said, leading him from the elevator and directly into the most beautiful penthouse she'd seen in a very long time. She could only dream of being in a place like this. The kind of place that was a long way from the little wooden house that was home for the three members of the Bordeaux family.

"Very nice," Sean said walking across the living room to a glass wall, his panther-like gait a sure sign of confidence and ambition. His gaze shifted to the New York skyline, which was the epitome of breathtaking. The view of a picturesque sunset and skyscrapers that were almost as tall as the sky itself really should have been named the eighth wonder of the world.

"That's a big selling point with this particular property. The open floor plan is great for entertaining. The balcony is also a perfect setup for gatherings," Jade said, unlocking then opening the sliding door for him to step out into the cool evening air, a common occurrence for spring evenings in New York.

"You like what you see so far?" Jade asked, crossing the distance until she stood beside him.

Sean tilted his head downward. His gaze locked on hers as he grinned and said, "Definitely."

"Would you like to see the rest of the place?" Jade gestured toward the master bedroom.

"Sure, but before we do, can I ask just one more question since you conveniently ignored the first one?" He took her outstretched hand into his and prevented her from walking away.

An electric kind of energy flashed throughout her body. That was certainly a concern. She had learned when and how to play it safe. And Sean was as dangerous as they came. Having been an employee of an upscale escort service, she knew the hard fact that those at the top of the food chain were equally as slimy as those who were willing to do whatever it took to get there.

Jade had shielded herself from unwanted advances-of which there were many. But years of going without a human touch had built up something inside of her that needed to be extinguished. A man like Sean Wright would be a perfect choice, but there was no way she would go there. Being with a man like him came with too many problems.

She steadied her breathing and her voice. "Go ahead."

"You care to tell me the real reason you don't want to work with me?"

"Is that why we're here?" Jade questioned, trying to keep her voice level. "I hope not because my time is valuable, and I don't need to waste it by entertaining that question."

"I believe in making the most of an opportunity. If I have a question, I ask. So, do you plan on providing an answer or should I just assume that you don't have a reason at all?"

Her eyes met his. "I didn't make it clear the first, second, and third time?"

"You don't feel it's the right job for you," he smirked. "But we both know that's not it at all."

"Okay, then I'll be honest," she shot back. "I don't like the way you do business. I don't like that money means more to you than people. You're not the type of person I'm interested in dealing with. Does the truth satisfy you?"

Sean was silent for a few spells, then, "And you came to this conclusion based on what? Because if I recall, you've never done business with me." He closed the distance between them. "So cut the bull and tell me what is it about me that frightens you so much," he snapped.

"Nothing frightens me," she countered. "But I am wise, and wisdom tells me to steer clear of you." She stepped back and didn't realize how close she was to the wall.

"So that's it." He inched closer. "You're not afraid of doing business with me. What scares you is the fact that we're very much alike. Isn't that right? We both know what we want and would risk it all to make it happen. What frightens you the most," his mouth nearly touched hers, "is knowing what will happen if you let your guard down." His lips lightly brushed against hers and she trembled with an anticipation so strong she almost reached up and pulled him to her.

Then he abruptly moved away, walked toward the circular staircase, but tossed over his shoulder, "I believe you said there was more to see."


( Continued... )

© 2016 All rights reserved. Book excerpt reprinted by permission of the author, L.A. Lewis. Do not reproduce, copy or use without the author's written permission. This excerpt is used for promotional purposes only.

Purchase Double Down and Dirty

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Both of your parents will die without a kidney transplant. You're the only known match for both of them. What would you do? Could you choose between saving your mom or dad's life?

That's the question Angel Taylor has the impossible task of answering. Angel is a health and fitness coach as well as a very successful healthy living blogger. She's saved the lives of thousands of readers and clients, yet she couldn't help the two people she loves the most... her parents.

Cynthia has lived with diabetes for years. The love of her life and father of her four children, Brian, has high blood pressure. Years of ignoring all the warning signs have put them both in a very difficult position. Cynthia and Brian are both on dialysis and their only hope is a new kidney.

As life would have it, their oldest daughter, Angel, is the only match for both of them. Angel has to decide whose life she will choose to save, but the ultimate question is, who will she let die?

Purchase Torn: A Daughter's Love by L.A. Lewis

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I’m LORNA LEWIS and my job is to make your dream of becoming a published author come true! As a national bestselling author and educator, I’ve learned what it takes to teach others to push through the mental blocks and to have the confidence they need to become a published author.

I’ve been where you are right now.

When I first had the idea to write a novel, I came up with every reason why I shouldn’t or couldn’t take on that task. I sold myself on the idea that writing was not for me, even though I knew deep down inside that wasn’t the truth…

It was just easier for me to believe that than it was for me to start writing.

If you are ready to dive in and publish your book, follow me over to my website for coaching and resources: https://www.authorlalewis.com

BPM: Could you tell us something about Double Down and Dirty?
My new novel is titled Double Down and Dirty. The story is about Jade Bordeaux who escaped her Southern Baptist family and moved to New York because they would never respect the choices she made or the secret she kept. The Big Apple and her new modeling career proved to be more adventurous than her life in Baton Rouge.

Excitement flowed through everything from the towering landscapes, wonderful opportunities, and especially in the form of handsome CEO Sean Wright. Dating him takes an unfortunate turn when his sister's dance to the rhythm of revenge becomes a tune she's hell-bent on sharing with her family and the people they love.

In a matter of weeks, Jade's life takes an uncertain and dangerous turn. Nothing prepared her for the call which stirs emotions Jade thought she'd buried. The former Governor of Louisiana has denied her existence since birth and now makes a life-altering request that fills Jade with resentment. Jade built her success and happiness by making hard choices, even ones that cause heartbreak. Unfortunately, she never imagined that any of those choices could lead to the death of someone she loves.

Jade soon learns in the game of life, sometimes playing Double Down and Dirty is the only way to win.

BPM: Give us some insight into your main characters. What makes each one so special?
What makes Jade so special is her determined attitude. There were many times where she could've given up and decided to live a mediocre life, but that wasn't her dream. She wasn't afraid to take risks, which is how she became a highly sought after super model.

Sean Wright is special because his stern exterior doesn't match his loving interior. He's been forced to make decisions that others don't always understand, but Sean never does anything without thinking of the bigger picture, and even though others feel his bigger picture is his bank account, Sean knows his heart. The choices he's made in business and relationships are always beneficial to the people he loves, even if they can't see it or understand it at the time.

Adrian Wright, Sean's sister, is special because she carries around an immense amount of weight from her past, and she somehow finds the strength to keep going. Unfortunately, she's so blinded by hurt that she in returns hurts others, but even she has her limits on how far she's willing to go.

BPM: What inspired you to sit down and actually start writing this book?
The funny thing is, I didn't sit down to start writing this book in particular. I sat down to write a story about two sisters who were complete opposites. One was a country girl living in Louisiana, and the other was the successful realtor living in New York. The more I wrote, the more it started to sound too Tyler Perry-ish. Don't get me wrong; I absolutely love me some Tyler Perry, but I'm not trying to be him.

So, after brainstorming with my developmental editor, we thought of scenarios that would make this story different from anything else out there. Instead of the drama with her sister, it became drama with his sister. Along with a lot of other situations that make this story quite unique. Their lives are all intermingled in ways they didn't know in the beginning. Each chapter offers a new "wow" factor in the lives of these people, and that's the story I wanted to write, so I did.

BPM: How do you select the names of your characters?
After writing a description of my characters, I usually Google popular names from the year they were born. The name will usually jump out at me when I see it. She's a fashion model, very beautiful, very intelligent, so Jade sounded like it would fit her perfectly. Sean Wright has a rich, confident sound to me. So, I went with that.

BPM: Where do your book ideas come from?
I can get an idea for a book from an ordinary conversation. My husband and I were discussing a situation just the other day, and he said something that started my creative wheels spinning. In a matter of minutes, I had mentally written an outline of a book that could stem from that conversation. I think the creative mind finds ideas everywhere. It could be something the preacher says during his sermon, or a news article, a situation a friend has gone through or is going through. Ideas are all around if you're tuned into them. Usually, I am. It's hard to turn my creative mind off.

BPM: Are your books plot-driven or character-driven?
My books are character driven. I get so wrapped up in these people that it's hard for me not to write based on how they're feeling. How their actions change the story. How the things that's happening to them changes them throughout the story. My characters are my story.

BPM: Is writing easy for you? Do you feel lonely being a writer?
Lonely? With all these people living in my head? No way LOL! Writing does come very easy for me. I never recognized it as a gift until I wrote my first novel and noticed how impressed my friends and family were that I could write a whole book. They were amazed. That's when it hit me that I'd accomplished something special. I have a unique gift.

BPM: What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
I enjoyed writing Jade's storyline the most. It gave me an opportunity to be someone I'm not. Jade doesn't mind saying what's on her mind, I do. Jade's very confident. She's not afraid of taking risks, as I stated earlier. For me, it's always fun to step outside of myself and become opposite of who I've been for the last 39 years.

BPM: How long does it take to complete one of your books?
Well, because there's this thing called "real-life" it takes me about a year to complete a book. I'm the mother of two very active children. My son tries to play every sport known to man, and my daughter is part of competitive cheer team. Right now, my life revolves around their schedules, so writing takes a little longer. Oh, and I also have a full-time job and a husband who requires attention every now and then.

BPM: Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?
This is going to be so cliché, but it's the truth. To be a better writer, you must, read a lot of novels written by really strong authors, write a lot, even if it's not a novel. You can journal, write a short story, rewrite something you read and felt could've been better, and attend writing workshops if they're available. Never stop working to improve your craft.

BPM: What period of your life do you find you write about more often?
Young adult. I do write personalized children books, but my novels are all young adult.

BPM: How do you feel when someone disagrees with something you have written?
At the beginning of my writing career, I'd get offended. They didn't know it, but it hurt a lot to hear anything that could be taken as negative about your work. Now that I've been doing this for a while, I've toughened up a lot, especially since I saw where the criticisms helped to make me a better writer. I welcome constructive criticism now.

BPM: Are there under-represented groups or ideas featured in your book? If so, discuss them.
I don't know if it's under-represented this day in age, but it does touch on living an alternative lifestyle and dealing with judgment from the one person who's supposed to love you unconditionally. It forces my characters to have the difficult conversation by pointing out that one sin isn't better or worse than another.

BPM: How does your book relate to your present situation, education, spiritual practice or journey?
This book relates to my journey of living life on purpose. I believe there are some people who just know what they're meant to do and meant to be in this life, but they're too afraid, for whatever reason, to step out and do it. Even though this book is fiction, based on fictional characters, the things that they go through is real-life. People are taking risks every day, and it's paying off big time. I'm learning to do the same and the art of persistence. Jade and Sean are two people who don't believe in no, not when it comes to something they really want. They find a way to make it happen. That's how I'm learning to be. Unless I feel that God is blocking it, then I'll step away and let Him lead me to my "yes."

BPM: Did you learn anything personal from writing your book?
I learned to stop overthinking and just write. I used to picture everyone from family to church members who'd be reading it, and that was a lot of stress. With this book, I just wrote. L.A. Lewis doesn't curse, but her characters do a little. Very little, I still have my limits. I've learned to stop stifling my creative juices and just let them flow.

BPM: What were your goals and intentions in writing this book, and how well do you feel you achieved them?
My goal was to have another book released this year. My goal was to grow as an author, and one of my beta readers, who's read my previous work, said she could definitely see a difference in my writing. I'm proud of this book. It was super hard because my editor is a beast and she works you, but it paid off. I have a product I'm proud to stand behind.

BPM: What does literary success look like to you?
Having reader begging you to never stop writing. That's what literary success looks like to me.

BPM: What projects are you working on at the present?
Right now I'm working on my fourth novel "Wife Swap," and doing a lot of reading and researching about screenwriting. I'm very interested in writing for TV, and I know it'll happen as soon as I'm ready. Right now I'm studying to show myself approved.

BPM: How can readers discover more about you and your work?
I'm on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram all under the name Author L.A. Lewis. My website is www.authorlalewis.com and my Gmail is authorlalewis@gmail.com

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