Release Blitz: Keep Happy by AC Bextor

Title: Keep Happy

Author: A.C. Bextor

Genre: Contemporary Romance 

Release Date: May 14, 2018

Cover Designer: Margeet Asselbergs of Rebel Edit And Design

Those who think they know me would tell you I’m a caring mother, a loyal friend, and a dutiful wife. They’d say the golden path which led me here is the road every little girl dreams of taking.

However, the guise of my happy existence has come to be just that—an illusion. A mask of contentment intended for the world to believe.

Not many years into my marriage, I became an abandoned housewife to an adulterous husband. A proud, but sad, mother of two beautiful daughters. 

My days were spent somewhere lost between empty and alone.

Then he came back. 

Mason Cole offered a second chance to share the life we were supposed to have together. He gave me a glimpse of myself. The woman I'd forgotten long ago. 

My road to hell was paved with good intentions. But sometimes good intentions get lost amidst a heart's desire.

At least mine did.

Now I’ll tell you why.

Author Freya Barker: “I have yet to meet an AC Bextor book I didn’t like, but Keep Happy just moved that bar even higher.”

Michella: “A gripping story of love and loss that expands over years.”

Linda Diamond: “Wow I am a huge fan a A.C. Bextor and this book is absolutely amazing!!”

Opening my eyes, I find what I knew I would. My life’s happiness coming to full circle. All the memories of us together push forward. All the laughter, intimacy, and peace emerge. Everything we had, everything I never expected to end. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye. 

I don’t think I ever truly did.

“Be with me,” I whisper. 

“I’m not sure I can do that,” he returns with reverence. 

“Be with me,” I say again.

Mason drops his head, staring to the ground at our feet. 

“We do this, it’ll change you, Katie,” he tells me. “It’ll cut deep.”

Mason doesn’t know about Thomas and his life outside our marriage. He doesn’t understand how long my days have been or the grief each is filled with. He couldn’t fathom my reasons for staying in a marriage because I’ve promised my daughters the life they deserve. An oath not unlike the one Thomas gave me on our wedding day, but one stronger and more protective, as only a maternal promise could be.

Grabbing his hand that now cups my cheek, I lace my fingers with his. 

A subtle sob breaks through my words but manage, “Mason, being with you again won’t cut me.” 

“It will,” he assures. 

“It doesn’t matter if it does,” I reply. 

“Of course it fucking matters.”

“No,” I assert, shaking my head. “My heart is already bleeding.”

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AC Bextor lives in a small town in the Midwest. When she's not writing she can be found reading or watching her favorite sports teams. She enjoys spending time outside fishing, swimming, or camping. 

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****MY REVIEW ****

Katherine Morris meets Mason Cole when she is 12 years old. They become friends. Mason is a few years older than Katherine yet the bond between them is instant. They enjoy each other’s company. As Katherine gets older she knows she has these deep feelings for Mason that are more than just friendship feelings. And Mason also comes to realize  that he finds something more in Katherine, or Katie Mae as he has taken to call her, that go past the friend zone. They do become involved but Mason has to leave town to get away from his abusive father and help his mom and sister out which means Katie Mae gets left behind. Life moves on for Katherine but really it is not much of a life that she wanted, compared to the rich love she had with Mason. She ends up married and has two children with her husband; her marriage is just an empty shell of a marriage especially since her husband cheats on her. For her children’s sake, she stays married. She loves her daughters more than anything and Katherine would do anything to make them happy. Suddenly Mason comes back to town and the staid and quiet life that Katherine built for herself begins to come apart. Why ? Because her first love, her real love is back and the possibility of getting that second chance is right there for Katherine but only if she reaches out and takes it. Will she ?

AC Bextor has written a 2^nd chance at love story about a couple that has obstacles; she is married to someone else, there are children involved, and there is cheating on both sides. Yet I will tell you this gripped me from the beginning and I am not someone who digs cheating stories. I felt so much for Katie Mae and Mason. Theirs was a love that was denied and they have this 2^nd chance.  I really didn’t like Katherine’s husband at all. I adored Katherine’s children, especially Averie. And Mason-wow, he was in such a dark place until Katherine came into his life. This is so true and it runs in the book at various points. I rooted for them to find finally their HEA. But do they get it..only way to find out is to read this beautifully emotional read.

My Rating:  4.5  stars *****

“I received an advanced copy of this book from the author at no cost to me."