Riding on the Edge

By Daisy Schwartz

Study abroad is a time to learn more about another country, but also a time to learn more about yourself.  And one thing that Vera Palmer is learning about herself while studying in Nebraska, is that she is too safe in the way she lives her life. She wants to live life more on the edge, to really and truly feel alive.

 

Oliver Stark is a newbie to the motorcycle club, Jack of Spades MC, and is looking to make his mark.  When one night he stumbles across Vera and the two are drawn to each other.  Vera is sure that this is her chance to change her life but Oliver isn’t sure that getting involved with a girl across the ocean is what he needs.

 

So how will one night and a chance meeting change both Vera and Oliver’s lives?  Can an international love survive the trials of motorcycle culture and is Vera ready to give up more than she bargained for in order to continue exploring this new and exciting world?

• Language: English
• Publisher: eBook Publishing World
• Release date: Mar 23, 2015
• ISBN: 9781507031995

Book preview

PROLOGUE

When I told people I was studying abroad in America they all get excited and interested. They wanted to tell me everything about their experiences going, or how much they wanted to go, or how awful America was and how I shouldn’t go. A bit late for that, since I’d already paid for the experience. But when I told them I was going to Nebraska they just gave me a blank stare. Most people didn’t know where Nebraska was or if it was even a state. When I tried to explain where the state was in relation to Texas, that usually made things worse. But I wanted to go. I desperately wanted to go.

I didn’t even really care where it was, to be honest, because I just wanted to get away, to find some space and to force myself out of the safe, comfortable, complacent life I had been living for so long. Not just so long, my whole life. I let other people dictate every aspect of my existence. So when I told my parents I was going to America, I was terrified. What if they disapproved? What if they stopped me? But actually, they were quite supportive. I wasn’t expecting that. They gave me quite a bit of money and help. If I didn’t know better I would’ve thought they were trying to get rid of me.

Now I was in Heathrow waiting for my flight. My heart was in my throat and my fingers twitched nervously. How could I possibly be doing something like this? Just leaving everything I had ever known behind for this massive unknown. And in America, too. But this would be a proper adventure. I would see new things, see beautiful things. I would be able to know something of the world, and maybe meet a hot American boy. They let you have more freedom in America, or so some people said. There was more opportunity, there was more unknown. And that scared me, while also giving me this amazing sense of freedom and liberty.

My heart started to beat proudly and firmly. I was taking control of my destiny. I was going to at least pretend to be a somewhat competent and capable individual who could manage her life, I was gong to find out who I was and what I stood for. I was going to be able to do everything I had always been afraid of doing and afraid of trying. It was going to be brilliant and beautiful. I just knew it.

CHAPTER ONE

Two horrific flights later – you’d think with as many people who flew, planes wouldn’t be so awful – I was in Lincoln, scanning the crowd at baggage claim for someone with a sign bearing my name. A tall blonde girl with dark tanned skin was standing eagerly in the middle of the crowd, waving a sign with Vera