Love Hurts by Mandi Beck Caged Love #1
Publication Date: January 18, 2015
Genres: Contemporary, Romance Amazon - Nook - iBooks
Synopsis:
Even when she won’t fight for us, I’ll go to war for her…
Inside the Octagon, I have no fear. I’m at home, in my element, inflicting pain onto men trained to hurt me just as badly. Making them submit, knocking them out, maiming them, because it’s them or me. And I choose them.
Outside the Octagon, my only weakness is a five-foot-two, classy as fuck woman that I’ve loved for most of my life. She’s the one that brings me to my knees, fills my arms, my heart, and one day soon, my bed. She makes me reckless. Volatile. I drink too much and try too hard to fuck my way out of feeling—all because of her.
Frankie De Rosa is my girl, my best friend. I haven’t earned her yet, but I won’t stand by and let anyone take her from me. She will be the greatest fight of my life, but she’s worth the battle.
Love hurts, but anything worth having does, right?
I’m Deacon “The Hitman” Love — Welcome to the Cage.
About the Author
Mandi Beck has been an avid reader all of her life. A deep love for books always had her jotting down little stories on napkins, notebooks, and her hand. As an adult she was further submerged into the book world through book clubs and the epicness of social media. It was then that she graduated to writing her stories on her phone and then finally on a proper computer.
A nursing student, mother to two rambunctious and somewhat rotten boys, and stepmom to two great girls away at college, she shares her time with her husband in Chicago where she was born and raised. Mandi is a diehard hockey fan and blames the Blackhawks when her deadlines are not met.
Love Hurts is her debut novel and she is currently working on the next in the series along with whatever other voices are clamoring for attention in her mind.
MB: I have always been an avid reader and when I wasn’t reading I would be creating these stories in my mind, constantly! Finally I decided to write one down.
RB: This is your debut book. What goes through your mind when you hear..."are you sure this is your first book? This is such a good book!"
MB: It’s surreal. The whole entire thing is surreal and amazing and overwhelming and wonderful. I never intended to share this with anyone, so the fact that people have not only read it but like it is incredibly humbling and totally f*cking awesome!
RB: Deacon. Where did his name come from? Pretty freaking memorable name by the way.
MB: Thank you! I just love it! I don’t know the meaning behind it or anything fantastic like that (though now I am totally going to look it up). I had it on a list of baby names when I was pregnant and when I started writing Love Hurts it was the first name that popped into my mind and it stuck I had a moment when I thought about changing it because ¾ of the way through writing, two brilliant, popular writers released books with main characters named Deacon but I just couldn’t do it.
MB: If anyone ever tells him I’ll deny it! Mr. Beck is actually really a lot like Deacon in a lot of ways. He is very tender and affectionate and a stellar gift giver. There’s meaning behind every gift he has ever given me. One of my BFF’s calls him Sweets because under that gruff alpha thing he has going on he is really sweet.
RB: Is there a scene that you had trouble writing? Why?
MB: People are always shocked by this but I struggle a lot writing from Frankie’s POV. I swear in a past life I was a man with a massive…ego ;) Seriously though, I cringe when I have to write from her POV and actually didn’t have any scenes written from her in Love Hurts. A beta reader told me that I had to because of certain things that happened in the story. I’m not sure why it’s hard for me but it’s something that I’m working on.
MB: When the voices in my head made me feel slightly crazy! Lol That and the Indie community and all of the amazing authors saying, “I did it, so can you!” Especially Kristy Bromberg. She is a huge reason, not for me writing because I had already been doing that, but for me believing that I could write for me and then actually share it with people because I was more than mom, wife, student etc. If it weren’t for her and other authors like her I would have written Deacon’s story and it would have just sat in a file somewhere on my computer.
MB: I learned that I am stronger than I thought, that I need a writing partner to kick my ass and that I have weird habits or quirks when I write. I have to have a cup of coffee, a seltzer water and mambas (or something sweet and fruity because mambas are hard to find) and music but only through headphones!
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS MANDI!!!! THIS WAS AN HONOR!!!!
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Review
and more!
I'm at a total loss for words right now. Its been 9 days and I'm still sitting here trying to figure out how to put my thoughts into words about how I feel and about the hell can I write a review that will do Love Hurts justice.
But I am going to try because you know it’s special when you read a book...not just any book...but that one book that grabs a hold of your heart, and takes you on a hot and beautiful journey. A book that, from here on out you will compare all others to. A book that sets the standard all authors debuts. A book that will from now on set the bar for me the reader. This book was all that for me.
Mandi Beck has a way of writing that draws you in and makes you feel like these people really do exist, like you are along for their ride. Her words just flow and I believe that is something a good writer hopes for and that...a brilliant writer can achieve. It's pretty unfucken believable to think this is Mandi's debut as a writer.
With this book I laughed, I cried, I was frustrated and I was pissed. Love Hurts was so good I was literally scared to turn the page for two reasons. One, I was afraid of what is going to happen; and two, I didn't want it to end. The fist page alone had me like whoa... I want to read this book!!
I absolutely loved that most of the book was written in Deacon's point of view. I loved knowing what Deacon was feeling and thinking but occasionally having an insight to where Frankie was mentally as well.
Shall we talk about my New BBF Deacon Love... *sigh* Well what can I say he is a perfect combination of both Alpha male, Possesive and a Romantic at heart when it comes to Frankie.
“No? You don't want to hear how just the sight of those little white teeth of yours sunk into your lip has me hard?”
“Or how about that you're all I think about? So much so that I'm getting my ass handed to me on the mats by sparring partners. Sparring partners, Frankie!” He shakes his head. “Not that either, huh? Then how about how all I want is to be inside you right now? Under you, over you, behind you, I really don't fucking care as long as I'm inside you,” he growls, “Because I need to show you that you're mine, that he can't have you, and that I fucking love you"
“When I fuck you, it won’t be as your good buddy Deacon, you feel me? When I finally get you to choose this, choose me, I am going to show you what it’s like to belong to a man. To be taken and completely owned by him, by me. I don’t even want to think about you with anyone else, but I can promise you that whatever you’ve been doing with them,”
“Isn’t even close to what you and I will be doing,”
*swoon* See just perfect combination for me.
Although he does have his time where he had a revolving bedroom door. Always hooking up with different girls.
But hey I can blame those girls for wanting a piece of Deacon. He has a filthy mouth that will melt your panties off.
“I’ll have you in my bed, in yours, in the shower, and anywhere else I want to take you, Frankie, because once I’ve had you, I’ll own you, and you’ll be begging me for more. I will fuck you the way you need to be fucked, the way you want to be fucked, even though you don’t know it yet, and I won’t stop until you come over and over again. On my cock, when I’m buried so deep in that perfect, little pussy, on my tongue while I suck on your clit, and on my fingers as you ride my hand.”
Yeah need I say more... anyone who listens to the way he talks will be hot and bothered and at his mercy!
But I have to say his fierce way of loving is what captivated me the most.
Now Frankie... we don't get to much about her feelings but the little we do get is great to see.
Well I really like that she can stand toe toe with Deacon and not take his shit. Plus you gotta love a girl who has a filthy mouth just like his and in Italian even better.
“Tu mi avresti già alzato la gonna e me lo avresti infilato dentro la figa.”
(translation "You would've already lifted my skirt and slipped inside my pussy")
But at the same time her insecurities towards her and Deacon frustrated me. Although I can see where they come from most of her life she has seen Deacon going back and fourth between girls.
Plus I believe she may still be struggling with what happened to her that terrible night.
And what can I say for the rest of her characters... well that really hope to get to know them more because there freakin' awesome.
Indiana is hilarious and gives Deacon shit like no one else can I think at one point he is even scared to say something because of what her come back may be.
Deacons brothers just as awesome as he is. Although I hope to get to know them better. But I love that there is a fierce loyalty between Deacon and his brothers and they always look out for each other.
The Banter between the characters is hilarious and you will truly enjoy it!
I hope I didn't give away too much. I guess there just 3 simple words I have to say... BUY. THE. BOOK... In fact, add it to your Goodreads now!!! You won't regret it. I promise.
Mandi, congrats on an amazing book. You set the bar so high for first time authors... and screw being nervous about what the readers think of this book...I would worry about how you are going top it in the next one.
RB: Where did the inspiration to write come from?
MB: I have always been an avid reader and when I wasn’t reading I would be creating these stories in my mind, constantly! Finally I decided to write one down.
RB: How did the idea of LOVE HURTS come about?
MB: Believe it or not, I
was sitting in traffic and the song Radioactive by Imagine Dragons came on and
the drums were like a living thing and I thought, “Wow, this would be an
awesome intro song for a fighter!”
That’s how Deacon was born. Simple as that, and once he was there he
wouldn’t go away!
RB: This is your debut book. What goes through your mind when you hear..."are you sure this is your first book? This is such a good book!"
MB: It’s surreal. The whole entire thing is surreal and amazing and overwhelming and wonderful. I never intended to share this with anyone, so the fact that people have not only read it but like it is incredibly humbling and totally f*cking awesome!
RB: Deacon. Where did his name come from? Pretty freaking memorable name by the way.
MB: Thank you! I just love it! I don’t know the meaning behind it or anything fantastic like that (though now I am totally going to look it up). I had it on a list of baby names when I was pregnant and when I started writing Love Hurts it was the first name that popped into my mind and it stuck I had a moment when I thought about changing it because ¾ of the way through writing, two brilliant, popular writers released books with main characters named Deacon but I just couldn’t do it.
RB: I have to ask. The sweetness and tenderness of Deacon with
Frankie is swoon worthy. Have you personally experienced any of those things? (the wrist kissing, the gifts)
MB: If anyone ever tells him I’ll deny it! Mr. Beck is actually really a lot like Deacon in a lot of ways. He is very tender and affectionate and a stellar gift giver. There’s meaning behind every gift he has ever given me. One of my BFF’s calls him Sweets because under that gruff alpha thing he has going on he is really sweet.
RB: Is there a scene that you had trouble writing? Why?
MB: People are always shocked by this but I struggle a lot writing from Frankie’s POV. I swear in a past life I was a man with a massive…ego ;) Seriously though, I cringe when I have to write from her POV and actually didn’t have any scenes written from her in Love Hurts. A beta reader told me that I had to because of certain things that happened in the story. I’m not sure why it’s hard for me but it’s something that I’m working on.
RB: When did you decide, it’s time for me to write a book?
MB: When the voices in my head made me feel slightly crazy! Lol That and the Indie community and all of the amazing authors saying, “I did it, so can you!” Especially Kristy Bromberg. She is a huge reason, not for me writing because I had already been doing that, but for me believing that I could write for me and then actually share it with people because I was more than mom, wife, student etc. If it weren’t for her and other authors like her I would have written Deacon’s story and it would have just sat in a file somewhere on my computer.
RB: What did you learn about yourself during the writing process?
MB: I learned that I am stronger than I thought, that I need a writing partner to kick my ass and that I have weird habits or quirks when I write. I have to have a cup of coffee, a seltzer water and mambas (or something sweet and fruity because mambas are hard to find) and music but only through headphones!
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS MANDI!!!! THIS WAS AN HONOR!!!!
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