MINE TO PROTECT
Author: Kennedy L. Mitchell Genre: Romantic Suspense Release Date: April 8, 2019
Recruited to the FBI Cas Mathews has one focus – catch the killer. That’s until officer Alta Johnson shoves her way on to the team, making him fantasize about the delicious curves she hides beneath her park ranger uniform. Alta’s natural beauty catches his immediate attention, but the strength behind her fierce gaze is what holds him captive – demanding he learns more about her.
As the team grows close, the serial killer shifts focus putting them all in danger. Cas should walk away before their sizzling attraction distracts him and gets them both killed. But as the threat pushes Cas and Alta closer, the temptation turns too hot for either to resist. With their focus diverted the threat zeroes in, catching everyone off guard. Figuring out the players in the killer’s cat and mouse game is key to Alta’s survival. Cas swore he would protect her but with the clues carefully hidden, can he figure it out before Alta disappears for good? Mine to Protect is a standalone, romantic thriller novel based in the beautiful mountains of the Rocky Mountain National Park. “Stay away from me, Lady.” Her eyes met mine, daring her to push back. “What? I didn’t mean—” “I’m not the man you think I am. I’m an asshole with more control issues than they can diagnose. I’m not a nice guy.” “But I’m safe,” she whispered in a voice so fragile, it chipped at my resolve to stay away for her sake. Fuck, that weak voice cracked every restraint I had. All she wanted to be was safe, and that was the one thing I could offer. “No one—I repeat, no one will touch you while I’m here. That is a fact you shouldn’t question.” Her tight shoulders dropped, her lips parted in a relieved sigh. There was trust there, trust I hadn’t earned yet, but still she gave it—to me, a nobody. Fuck it. Narrowing my eyes, I crouched directly in front of her, inching closer until her back pressed against the brick hearth. Inches from her nose, I inhaled each of her shaky breaths, savoring the heated fear that pulsed off her as her eyes darkened with lust. She needed to be scared of me, to run in the opposite direction. Still I dared another inch closer, hoping she’d push me off, praying she wouldn’t. I slid a hand around the hot skin of her delicate neck. “I don’t know how to be gentle, Lady,” I growled. Her breath hitched at the minuscule squeeze of my fingers around her throat. “What if I don’t want gentle?” she breathed. “What do you want?” Light brown brows pulled together in thought, but her hazel eyes stayed locked with mine. “You.”
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She was off limits.
Eric Wilde has always known that Piper Lane isn’t for him. She is his younger brother’s best friend…and probably more. But that hasn’t stopped Eric from wanting her. For longing for the one woman that he can’t have. Sure, he’s rich, successful—he’s built a security empire, and he’s got the world at his feet. Only he doesn’t have her. He is the one man she needs the most. Free-spirited Piper Lane has always considered Eric to be the enemy. He’s seemed to resent her, and the guy just flat-out makes her nervous. Every time she’s around him, she winds up doing something horribly embarrassing. But, this time…everything has changed. This time, he’s the one man she needs the most. Something is stalking Piper. A stranger has broken into Piper’s home twice, and she feels like someone is following her. Watching her every move. She needs a professional to help her—so enter Eric Wilde. He promises her protection, he promises to put his best investigators on her case, and he even moves her into his house. Suddenly, the guy who has always been the villain in her life…he’s now playing the role of hero. Everything will change as the danger mounts. And maybe Eric isn’t so bad, after all. The more time that Piper spends with him, the more she realizes that her feelings for Eric are far more complicated that she ever imagined. Desire explodes between them even as the danger deepens around her. Someone in the dark is targeting Piper, and he is determined that if he can’t possess her…then he will destroy her.
The double-layered intensity of the story had me all twisted and on pins and needles as I binge-read Eric and Piper's story. I absolutely adored this tale and the fact that the author was able to change my opinion of the hero as the story progressed.
Eric is an alpha man to the point of being stubborn, boorish at times, could seem like a bully if not looking a bit more deeply into the tale. In the beginning, I had my eyebrows lifted and ready to pounce on him for real until he started to truly communicate with Piper - and with his brother Ben - when he was able to form sentences and have conversations instead of just claiming Piper as 'his'. He turned out to be an adorable, loving, sexy beast, that completely won me over, the last tipping point towards the end of the book, a conversation he has with Ben. Piper is no shrinking violet either. She is a strong, capable, successful woman who has built her own prosperity. She might have had less when growing up, yet that had not held her back when pursuing her dreams. She is capable to defend herself, she is able to hold her own, yet with this secret stalker, she is going to need all the help she can get, cause the culprit is out for blood. The connection between Piper and Eric has been developing in the shadow of his brother, Ben's friendship with her. Yet there is a unique history, a tight bond between Piper and Eric, that is revealed as the story unfolds. And the chemistry between Eric and Piper - oh wow. I knew Cynthia Eden can write some steaming love scenes, yet Piper and Eric - they set the bar up high on the smoking hot loving. But Protecting Piper is not just a hot love story, there is an element of creepy stalker who is out to get Piper and everyone close to her. When part of a story is told from the culprit's point of view, I often get that dreadfully morbid, completely freaked out feeling, like only great suspense brings to you. And this stalker is escalating quickly while making people in Piper's life look quilty. Talking about intense, gory scenes... An ardent love story, combustible and filled with feels, in the middle of a frantic search of a prowler escalating into a savage killer. Steamy, danger-filled romantic suspense just the way I love it... ~ Five Spoons
CHASING VENGEANCE
Author: Katie Reus Series: Redemption Harbor Genre: Romantic Suspense Release Date: April 9, 2019
From USA Today bestselling author Katie Reus comes the final story in the explosive Redemption Harbor series where sparks fly and so do bullets…
Wanting her means putting a target on her back… Layla’s taste in men runs toward the epic side of awful. With one murderous ex-fiancé already behind her, she’s attempting to start over in Redemption Harbor with the help of her bestie, Nova. And wine. Lots of wine. The very thing that helps her make another epic mistake—trying to kiss Xavier, one of her newest friends. So what if he’s sexy, funny, and has completely taken over her fantasies? Relationships and Layla don’t mix. And Xavier is clearly not interested anyway. But it’s too late to walk away… Any good hitman has no business forging a personal life…no matter how great the temptation. And Xavier is an exceptionally good hitman, with a long list of enemies. Even if Layla could somehow look past his profession, he’d never put her in jeopardy. But everyone has their breaking point—and when Layla accepts a date with someone else, Xavier’s possessiveness is unleashed. The greater the risk, the sweeter the reward…until Xavier’s sweet Layla is used against him by someone from his past. Now he’ll do whatever it takes to protect her from the enemy hunting her from the shadows.
From New York Times bestselling author Kylie Scott comes
REPEAT, a sexy, standalone contemporary romance! REPEAT is now available! Grab your copy today!
Pavement turns into cobblestones and there’s a more touristy feel to the shops in Old Port. Lots of beautiful, over-a-century-old brick buildings. I’m almost tempted by a waterfront lobster place, but continue on, looking for Vito’s—the Italian restaurant Ed recommended I try. And I’m glad I did. It smells amazing and has heavy wooden tables and dark red napkins, silver cutlery glinting in the low light. There are plenty of shadowy nooks and atmosphere aplenty, despite the crowd. Just when I think I’m going to get turned away, the maître d’ smiles, obviously recognizing me on sight, and leads me to the only available table. I feel comfortable here. Maybe it’s the warm welcome. Or maybe some part of me deep down recognizes this place. Unlike the froufrou clothing, Vito’s still fits. Though I should probably dress up more next time. Black yoga pants and a T-shirt is a bit slummy. “Clem?” asks a familiar deep voice. I raise my eyes from the menu to find Ed staring down at me. He looks good. But then, he always does. More dressed up than normal in gray slacks and a white button-down shirt with his hair slicked back. God, he’s so handsome and smooth looking, like a movie star out of an old black and white movie. Just behind him is a woman with wavy shoulder-length dark hair. She’s beautiful too. Of course she is. They make a great looking couple, dammit. Meanwhile, the maître d’ stands nearby, visibly flustered. “I’m so sorry. I just assumed . . . ” “Shit,” I say, realization dawning. “This is your table.” Ed clears his throat. “Yeah.” “Awkward. Okay.” I slide out of the chair, grabbing my usual bag with money, cell, and book inside. God. The brunette is dressed in a sexy off-the-shoulder number and I look like crap. “What a coincidence, huh? Enjoy your meal.” And I’m out of there, pronto. Not even the cooler air outside can take the heat out of my face. It’s just as well that I’m wearing sneakers and not heels. Otherwise, there would be no chance of moving fast on the cobblestone streets. The usual ache/awkwardness caused by the thought of Ed escalates into an agonizing kind of pain. I think I’m having a heart attack. Or maybe my heart just hurts. Which makes no sense at all because he’s not mine. Not in any way, shape, or form. The man doesn’t even like me. And I definitely don’t enjoy the riot of feelings he inspires. “Clem, wait!” Ed runs after me, his expression tense. “Are you all right?” “Sure. Why wouldn’t I be?” He just looks at me. “That was unfortunate, them thinking we were still together and meeting for dinner. I mean, what were the chances of me turning up here tonight?” I babble, staring at his shoes. Much easier than meeting his face. “Random,” he says. “It’s just that you told me to try this restaurant and I was in the area, so . . . ” “Yeah? What were you doing?” “Taking a self-defense class.” “Good. That’s good.” I cross my arms over my chest. Only it feels defensive, best to just let them hang at my sides. He’s freshly shaved, the strong line of his jaw dramatic in the low lighting. All of the planes and angles of his face are so perfect. Also, he smells incredibly good. Probably some expensive cologne or just his general coolness leaking from his pores. I don’t know. But at such a close distance, I can almost believe the emotion in his eyes is something other than annoyance or pity. “Anyway,” I say, taking a deep breath. “You should get back. I guess I’ll try the place another time. Make my own reservation next time.” “It was always your favorite.” That stops me. “You’re taking your date to my favorite restaurant?” “I happen to like the place too.” Lines crease his brow. “What, we need to divvy up the town now?” “No, just . . . my favorite? Really? Isn’t it weird, going somewhere we made memories?” I raise the corner of my lips in distaste. “Obviously not, or you wouldn’t be here with her and this wouldn’t have just happened. Never mind.” Now the lines have spread to beside his beautiful eyes. “Though maybe that’s the point, you want to overwrite everything we did together. Make newer and better memories.” “You know, maybe I do.” “Fantastic. Awesome. Best of luck with that.” My voice rises in volume. “I hope she’s everything for you that I never could be. A paragon of female worthiness. A lady on the streets, a wildcat between the sheets, and all that shit.” A couple passes by, darting looks at us. Fair enough. “And I’m yelling at you on street corners now like a deranged person. Great.” “Please continue, Clem,” he bites out. “I for one am enjoying the hell out of all this honesty for once.” “Oh, fuck off back to your date, Ed.” His shoulders rise on an exceptionally heavy sigh and honest to God, I feel exactly the same way. Apparently this city isn’t big enough for both my ex and me. Not tonight, at least. I might have forgotten the initial breakup. But we were sure making up for the loss of those memories now. And I barely even know the guy. It shouldn’t have mattered where he went, let alone with whom. It shouldn’t hurt. Empty was so much safer. “I don’t want to yell at you. I don’t want to be this person. Give my love to Gordon,” I say, sounding much calmer than I feel. “Hope you have a nice night.” “Clem . . . ” I don’t stop walking and I don’t turn back.
"A page-turning romantic feast that will have you desperate for more. I was immediately hooked."
—#1 New York Times bestselling author Rachel Van Dyken "Kylie Scott has long been one of my favorite authors, and oh, did she crush it with Repeat! I loved every page. Witty, swoony, sexy romance weaved in a mystery that will have you hooked. This one goes to the top of my 2019 favorite reads." —A.L. Jackson, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author
"This book. You need this book. Repeat is everything I wanted in a romance. I was not expecting the delicious intensity, the amazing heroine, the delicious hero, and the banter only Kylie Scott can write. This book is pure magic."
—L.J. Shen, USA Today bestselling author "Kylie Scott's vivid characters, amazing writing, and a plot to keep you glued to the pages makes Repeat a must read!" —Donna Grant, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author
When hope is lost, truth is blurred, and your life is on the line,
it’s time to call in the Guardian Agency... From the privacy of her home office, computer genius Claudia Mitchell offers technical assistance for the bodyguards of the Guardian Agency. Whatever a protector needs, Claudia taps a few keys and makes it happen. When she receives a desperate call from her sister, Claudia can’t use cyberspace or assets to save her. For this case, Claudia has to take the lead. Afraid her secrets will jeopardize her perfect job, she reaches out to Hank Patterson’s Brotherhood Protectors for backup. Nathan Jennings showed the world what being a hero looked like despite serving time in prison. His selfless actions earned him a place as a protector on the Guardian Agency team. Practically since day one, he’s fantasized about his tech assistant, Claudia, the woman with the sexy voice, quick wit, and razor-sharp mind. When she suddenly disappears and he is tasked with finding and protecting her, will his fantasy finally come true?
When coming to her old hometown to help her always-in-the-middle-of-drama younger sister turns out to be much more than the IT-support genius Claudia Mitchell bargained for, she will need all the help she can get to survive, no matter how much Claudia wanted to just fix the latest problem with her sister by herself.
Not only are the painful childhood memories overtaxing her mind, but the attraction to the smooth-talking Nathan Jennings is stronger than she was prepared for. All Claudia wants is to fix the problem and never return but life rarely delivers what we want. For a novella length story, the author has managed to deliver a well-developed tale with character development and exhilarating action. The connection between Claudia and Nathan is palpable. The bantering dialog is fun, and the attraction that initially was only over the phone now gets new dimensions in up close and personal relations in a small cabin, in the middle of the Snowmageddon. While their lives are threatened and there is no guarantee none of them will survive, Claudia and Nathan are drawn to each other and desperately fighting against it and the possible consequences of their actions. I enjoyed the story and the intriguing puzzle of the kidnapping and possible terrorist operation happening right there in a backyard of Claudia's childhood home. The action is fierce and fast, the tension is tangible, and the threat is real, setting the reader on the edge for most of the story, delivering an entertaining, twisted, vehement tale of fervent suspense and ardent romance ~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
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As the start of a new multi-author series, Justice Mission introduced the world of the K-9 unit in New York City, delivering intense suspense and action, paired with emotional scenes, danger, even death, and a touch of romance on the side as well as adorable, caring canine companions.
The Love Inspired romantic suspense books have the three major elements that are expected to be present in each story: the suspense, the romance, and the faith in God the protagonist have. Some stories lay more heavily on one element than the other, and in some books, like in Justice Mission, the faith was more of an assumed part of the characters lives. The suspense and mystery, the action that the investigation brought on, is vigorous, engaging the minds of the members of the unit, as well as mine, as the reader. The missing leader of the unit, and the family connections he had within the force, and in his personal life, as well as the threat to his assistant, Sophie Walters, brought sentimental, emotion-filled moments into the midst of the research into his disappearance. The case is not solved in this book, even though the immediate danger to Sophie is sorted out. There are many tears throughout the tale while the unit is desperately looking for answers, but the funeral scene for a fallen cop had me sopping uncontrollably, as each vivid moments, with all the feels, were tangible in the air. The final call at the end of the service left an echo into my mind and heart, just a devastatingly sad yet honorable moment that will be hard to forget or walk away from. I wish the chemistry between Sophie and NYPD officer Luke Hathaway would have been as palpable. They have an obvious connection, it is clear that they care for each other, and even that they are interested in each other, but the maudlin atmosphere of the investigation overpowers nearly everything else in the tale as the stage for the rest of the series is set. I did enjoy getting to know everyone, and Sophie and Luke especially. They both have to do some soul searching to be able to open up for a relationship, and especially Luke's pondering was well documented while he fights against the budding attraction to a much younger (nine years, a problem to him, not to me) woman. Justice Mission whet my appetite to the rest of the series that will keep unfolding each month for the rest of the year. The characters are intriguing, the interactions between them are arresting, and I am looking forward to getting to know them all better. The story is filled with emotions, from tangible fear and danger, sorrow and despair, to hope and love, and of course, spiced up with adorable canines from working K-9 four-legged officers to delightful puppies. An effectively engaging and appealing start of a series filled with potent, deadly danger and harsh, rough action ~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
For a few days only, you can get
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Ever since Jack protected Samantha from a high school bully, the two have been friends.
But she wants more from the sexy firefighter. Too bad Jack has always seen her as the shy sweet girl, who can’t stand up for herself. She can’t resist his boyish smile when he stops by the bakery for coffee. Or stop herself from bringing baked goods to the fire station. It’s time to prove she’s all grown up and can take care of herself. And show him, she’s done being friends |
Jack shook his head. “You should let me help you with the booth at the market—at least to set-up and break-down.”
Jack’s offer was sweet, but I didn’t feel right taking him up on it. Jack had always looked out for me, but I wanted to do things on my own. I wanted him to see me as an independent woman, not someone constantly needing his help. I shook my head. “Oh, no. I couldn’t ask you to do that. You help your dad at the marina and you volunteer here already.”
Jack stood a little taller, and said softly, “You’re no slouch either.” His eyes were on mine as he tucked a piece of hair behind my ear.
My breath hitched at his unexpected touch. It was intimate. I couldn’t ignore or blow it off as friendly. I was starting to crave his touch and attention.
Jack’s hand hovered by my hair as if he noticed my reaction. “Can I walk with you? I should probably head over to the marina.”
I nodded, not trusting my voice to speak.
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Lea Coll worked as a trial attorney for over ten years. Now she stays home with her three children, plotting stories while fetching snacks and running them back and forth to activities. She enjoys the freedom of writing romance after years of legal writing.
She grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania and currently resides in Maryland with her family. Connect with Lea: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Bookbub | Amazon | Goodreads | Newsletter |
The Edisto Island Mysteries Book 5
by C. Hope Clark
Genre: Cozy Mystery
A Callie Morgan and Carolina Slade crossover! (A standalone mystery)
When a renowned—and now dead—travel blogger washes ashore on the banks of Indigo Plantation, Police Chief Callie Morgan of Edisto Beach agrees to head the investigation as a favor to the county sheriff, whose reasons are as questionable as the death itself.
When death turns to murder and a watchdog from the county makes her investigation difficult, Callie reluctantly turns to Carolina Slade and Wayne Largo, vacationing agents with the Department of Agriculture. Because poison is growing on this plantation, and someone knows how to use it well.
"Page-turning...[and] edge-of-your-seat action...crisp writing and compelling storytelling. This is one you don't want to miss!" —Carolyn Haines, USA Today bestselling author
"Her beloved protagonist, Callie, continues to delight readers as a strong, savvy, and a wee-bit-snarky police chief.”—Julie Cantrell, NY Times and USA Today bestselling author
Slade
BODIES WEREN’T foreign to me, but they weren’t commonplace either.
Trying to keep my feet out of the water, I stooped over, not too much, to study the corpse floating face down about three feet away. The ears were chewed on by some kind of creature. A denim shirt clung to a pudgy back, and the torso gently rocked though no boat stirred the South Edisto River.
The last body I’d discovered in Newberry, my most recent major case, made me vomit my breakfast burrito, and if I hadn’t skipped lunch today, I’d have upchucked here, too.
We were supposed to be on vacation. Or rather, I’d been ordered by my boss to take a vacation.
“Go take basket weaving or something,” he’d said, his way of telling me to get out of his hair for a while and quit finding investigations where there were none. Sorry, but when I thought there was a case, there usually was a case. My record proved it. He sort of pissed me off.
So I’d Googled basket weaving and South Carolina Lowcountry, and made reservations for a week at Indigo Plantation. I was from this piece of the state, and revisiting would be nice. Plus, I planned to make the biggest, gaudiest basket in the world, and set the damn thing on his desk when I returned.
Patiently, Wayne had stood guard on dry land, while I searched for the right grass for a basket, along the edge of the river. But as I waded calf deep in the water, a heavy something bumped me from behind.
Imagining a gator, I screamed, teetered, and fell, making the lawman come running.
Wayne saw the body before I did. “Don’t touch it, Slade!” he’d yelled.
From sitting waist deep in brackish water, slick mud under my butt, I scrambled like a crab at surf’s edge, putting distance between me and the dead man. “It touched me first,” I yelled back.
Gently but quickly, he rolled the man over and checked for a pulse.
I’m sure my eyes rolled. Skin color and missing eyelids told us what we needed. I couldn’t stop staring though I was sure I’d regret it in my dreams.
“Stay here and guard the scene,” Wayne said, in his federal agent voice, the boyfriend in him gone. “Don’t disturb anything. And don’t let anyone else disturb anything.”
Then off he waded to shore and left me. Just like that. Before I could ask what to do if the body tried to float off.
For twelve-year-old Cora Landry and her friends Violet and Jordyn, it was supposed to be an ordinary sleepover--movies and Ouija and talking about boys. But when they decide to sneak out to go to the abandoned rail yard on the outskirts of town, little do they know that their innocent games will have dangerous consequences.
Later that night, Cora Landry is discovered on the tracks, bloody and clinging to life, her friends nowhere to be found. Soon their small rural town is thrust into a maelstrom. Who would want to hurt a young girl like Cora--and why? In an investigation that leaves no stone unturned, everyone is a suspect and no one can be trusted--not even those closest to Cora.
Before She Was Found is a timely and gripping thriller about friendship and betrayal, about the power of social pressure and the price of needing to fit in. It is about the great lengths a parent will go to protect their child and keep them safe--even if that means burying the truth, no matter the cost.
Sam slows to crawl as he crosses the railroad tracks but still the car bounces and pitches as it rolls over the uneven iron rails. I expect Sam to make a left on Depot, a street that runs parallel to the tracks, but he keeps going. Once over the tracks we pass the bank and the tiny grocery store, and then three blocks filled with single-family homes.
I glance down Juneberry, the street where Violet is spending the night at her best friend’s house. Cora Landry invited Violet over so they could spend their free day off school together tomorrow. I breathe a sigh of relief. No ambulances down that way.
Pitch ends suddenly as if the town’s forefathers somehow knew that it would never really grow into the buzzing railroad town originally planned. Main Street turns into a country highway, treeless and lined with deep ditches and acres of farmland now hidden by the black night. The road dips and winds and gradually rises and I turn in my seat to look out the rear window. From here I can see Pitch below us.
“There,” I say, grabbing at Sam’s arm. On the western edge of Pitch right along the railroad tracks and the old millwork district I see the rhythmic swirling of red lights. Sam knew exactly what he was doing coming up here.
Without slowing down, he makes a U-turn and I clutch at the dash to keep myself from sliding across the seat. There is no train in sight. Surely if there was an accident with one of the freight trains that runs through Pitch four times a day, it would have stopped. Unless, of course, the engineer didn’t know that he hit someone. Sam pulls off to the side of the road and punches the hazards with one finger.
“Try and call Max again,” he says and I lift the phone to my ear and this time it goes right to voice mail. “Do you want to go down there?” he asks.
Apprehension, thick as mud, fills my chest. I’ve always known I would never have much money, never have a big house to live in, never have some great job, probably never get married again. And because I’ve expected so little I don’t think I’m asking too much that my kids stay safe. God and I have always had a complicated relationship, but I never held anything against Him. But if something bad happened to Max or Violet all bets are off. I don’t want to find out what’s going on down there. I will my phone to vibrate, but it stays still.
“Go,” I finally say. I’m guessing that we won’t get very close to the scene, anyway, but I have to do whatever I can to find out what’s going on. Sam pulls back onto the highway and he speeds toward the train yard. He doesn’t have to worry about getting pulled over. It looks like every police officer and sheriff’s deputy in Johnson County is parked down there.
In less than three minutes Sam manages to park just a block away from where all the emergency vehicles have converged. Two sheriff’s cars and the police chief’s SUV barricade the only entrance into the train yard where the depot is boarded up and empty boxcars, abandoned years ago, sit. An ambulance is parked a bit off to the side facing the road ready to leave in a hurry. A deputy strides toward us as we approach. He’s young. Tall and broad across the shoulders. His eyes dart left and right as if on the lookout for something or someone. He looks scared. Ill.
“You can’t be here, folks,” he says, trying to usher us back toward the car.
“We heard the sirens, saw the lights,” Sam explains. “What happened? Is everyone okay?”
“Sorry, you can’t be here,” the officer says again. Behind him someone turns on their headlights and the darkened train yard suddenly comes into view to reveal a flurry of activity. A woman wearing running tights and tennis shoes is talking to another officer. With hands tucked inside the sleeves of her sweatshirt she gestures toward the tracks and then rubs at her eyes, leaving behind a streak of red across her face.
“Is that blood?” I ask louder than I intend. Hearing me, the woman looks down at her hands and cries out.
“Ma’am,” the young officer says more sternly, “you need to leave this area.” This is when I see the EMTs come toward us carrying a stretcher to the ambulance. A small body is strapped securely to the stretcher. My breath lodges in my throat. She is shaped like my Violet. Thin with long dark hair that could belong to Violet, too, but the child’s face is nearly unrecognizable. Bloody, swollen, grotesque.
I try to push pass the officer but he steps in front of me and I bounce against his solid form and stumble backward. Sam is quicker than I am and skirts past the cop to get a better look.
“It’s okay, I don’t think it’s Violet,” he calls back to me.
“Are you sure?” I say, wanting so badly to believe him, but Sam hasn’t met my kids yet—how would he know?
“What color is Violet’s hair?” he asks.
“Black.” My heart pounds wildly.
“Then it’s not her. This girl has lighter hair.” I want to cry in relief.
From my spot on the hard-packed dirt I can now see it isn’t Violet. The girl’s ears do not belong to my daughter. The hair I thought at first glance was Violet’s isn’t naturally dark but slick and blackened with blood. This child looks a bit thinner than Violet. Still…there is something familiar about her, but it can’t be. It doesn’t make sense.
Sam comes back to my side and helps me to my feet. My stomach churns. What has happened to this little girl? What could cause this kind of damage? Not a car accident; there are no other vehicles besides the ambulance and the police cars. A fall from a bike? She’s deathly still and I wonder if she’s breathing. She looks like she could have been mauled by a dog or some other large animal. A flap of skin hangs loosely from her cheek and blood bubbles from her lips.
The EMTs lift her into the ambulance and are quickly on their way and the scream of the siren once again shatters the late-night quiet. I watch as it speeds away, the tires kicking up clouds of dust, and wonder how they are going to find out who the injured girl is. I’m just getting ready to ask the cop this question when I realize that everyone else is looking back toward the railroad tracks.
Another small silhouette appears. This time on foot, emerging from the tall winter wheat that fills the field on just the other side of the tracks.
Again my heart nearly stops.
It’s Violet.
She is moving toward us as if in slow motion. Eyes unfocused, unseeing. The front of her white T-shirt blooms red. Her hands look like they’ve been steeped in blood. Something tumbles from her fingers and lands on the dirt at her feet.
“Oh, my God,” I breathe. “She’s bleeding! Call another ambulance!”
It feels like forever until I finally reach her. I sweep her up in my arms and run my eyes over her, searching for the source of all the blood. “Help her!” I cry, laying her gently on the ground. “Please,” I plead. “What happened?” I ask Violet. “Who did this?”
Suddenly I know exactly who the other girl is. Violet’s best friend, Cora Landry. I feel arms pulling me backward and hear Sam telling me to let them do their work. Violet’s lips move but I can’t quite make out what she says.
Monday, April 1st: The Lit Bitch
Tuesday, April 2nd: Lindsey Reads and Reviews
Wednesday, April 3rd: Jessicamap Reviews
Thursday, April 4th: Amy’s Book-et List
Friday, April 5th: Books & Spoons
Monday, April 8th: Book Reviews and More by Kathy
Tuesday, April 9th: What is That Book About
Wednesday, April 10th: Bookish Connoisseur
Thursday, April 11th: Thoughts on This ‘n That
Friday, April 12th: Lori’s Reading Corner
Doctor Anne Nichols is back in Oak Creek, Wyoming, only because she has no other options. Here, she was always the shy, stuttering girl, invisible to everyone. Except Zac Mackay. The very reason she left in the first place. Zac’s years in Special Forces taught him survival skills, and he’s created a company—Linear Tactical—to teach those skills to others, so they never have to live in fear. Then why is Annie, the last person he’d ever want to hurt, afraid of him? Zac’s determined to wipe the fear from the eyes of the woman who has never been far from his mind. And fix the mistakes--his mistakes—that put that look there in the first place. But a predator has set his sights on Annie. And now survival skillswill become much more than lessons… |
The painful and awkward history between Anne Nichols and Zac Mackay, especially that one night after Zac's wife, Anne's best friend, died, had a drastic influence on both of their lives. The wounds in Anne's heart and soul are deep, and to face Zac again is devastating.
I liked Anne, throughout the story, through some fierce battles both emotional and physical, she finds her inner strength and the warrior woman inside her. The shyness and stammering have always made her seek the shadows in social settings, but her precise professionalism as a doctor gives her self-confidence and nearly another persona that she can put on to face the challenges of her demanding career.
Zac loved deeply and lost everything at a young age when a car accident took away his wife and young son. Over the years he has dealt with the pain, he has faced the demons of sorrow and accepted that part of him will always miss them. But what he did to Anne during the most painful moments of his life, is something he has to deal with now that the memories of that night are surfaced again.
The romance between Anne and Zac pulls the heartstrings, it is passionate, the ardent love scenes engulfing the mind and heart of the readers. Anne has a big, loving, forgiving heart, and I can only admire her for it. Zac has used to get away with his charm, but now he really has to put the effort into the game to convince Anne he is serious about building a relationship with her.
The suspenseful elements come into the front and center of the story at the third part of the tale. There are severe, brutal violence against a woman, detailed sexual assaults during an attempted rape that can be a trigger to some. The emotional depth of the aftermath of the first attack brought tears to my eyes, the raw pain and fear are tangible as is the fragility of life.
With this fervent second chance romance, a story that is well written and has wonderful natural flow in the tense scenes and situations of the story, the author introduces an intriguing and charming cast of characters, whets the appetite for more to come in the future books, and I for one, can't wait to see where Ms. Crouch will take the series.
A gripping, exciting, alluring, and compelling story that entertained, a great start for a new series
~ Four Spoons
When former Special Forces soldier Finn Bollinger is asked to help with a deadly government mission, he’s up for the task. His job teaching survival skills to civilians at Linear Tactical keeps him sharp, and he can still handle himself in the field. But the Army damn well didn’t teach Finn how to handle Charlotte Devereux. She’s back and she’s all sorts of bad news. Charlotte can’t change the past. Can’t change the choices she made or the fact that they cost her everything. All she can do is endure the fallout. Even if that means putting her future in the hands of Finn, the man who has every right to want to destroy her. And can in so many more ways than he thinks. When the undercover mission goes impossibly wrong, they’ll all have to depend on Charlotte’s strength in order to survive. But everyone has a breaking point |
Charlotte Devereux is at the end of her rope. She is broke, homeless, trying to work three jobs and take care of her parents who struggle with her father's illness. She is brave, bold, stubborn, and strong. She knows she wronged Finn all those years ago, but to her, the reasons were good enough, the consequences something she had to face willingly.
I genuinely liked Finn and Charlie, their chemistry is strong, the passion between them burning hot and believable. The trust is slow to build again, I kind of understand why Charlie didn't want to open up about her troubles and past decisions, and I absolutely loved Finn's mature attitude, understanding and appreciating how it all had affected his life in a long run.
The vindictiveness was left to Charlies' ex-in-laws, yet never was it revealed from their side why they lured Charlie into their family and why the polluted relationship afterward.
The suspense stays off the pages until the last quarter of the book, building up to the explosive momentum. When the action finally starts it is vehement, brutal, vicious, and strong, so potent and intense, it left me breathless.
The story gives more insight into the team at the Linear Tactical and shows the beginning of the next possible romance coming up in the series [yes, one of my pet peeves, I know]. The way that start of the other relationship is embedded into this tale, so smoothly into the current plot, it is well done and it has its place there, and [thankfully] it doesn't take the limelight away from the main characters, Finn and Charlie, so kudos for that.
But Finn and Charlie are such a strong power couple, they are easy to love with their sizzling chemistry, swoon-worthy sweetness, cuteness, and brassiness, so they and their turbulent feelings will stand out even in a crowd. And I loved Ethan, he is such a mini-me of Finn, it was impossible not to love those two protective warriors and their warrior princesses.
Deeply emotional, poignant second chance romance in a dangerous, treacherous world of covert ops, illegal arms sales, and strip clubs. Crouch takes the story into the raw side of emotions, baring it all for the infected wounds to have a chance to heal, and anew life to be able to be built. The edgy, dark suspense leads to gory and savage action, where no one is safe, nothing is held back, as the fight for justice leads to the struggle of just surviving.
Linear Tactical series is proven to be some of the best work from the author to the date and seems to be more [of everything] in each installment. Definitely a series not to be missed.
~ Five Spoons
Aiden has never left anyone behind. Not a comrade and certainly not an innocent. But when an undercover mission goes wrong, he's forced to abandon a woman trapped in a human trafficking ring. Violet learned brutally that no one is promised a happy ending. She knows Aiden blames himself for his part, but she refuses to let her abduction define the rest of her life. She won’t be a victim again. And she’s going after what she wants: Aiden. Watching Violet transform herself into a fierce warrior is the sexiest thing Aiden has ever seen. The honorable plan would be to stay away from her—let her heal and grow without the shadow of his mistakes clouding her progress—even though every instinct tells him to claim her for his own. But when they discover the danger they thought they’d left behind is closer than ever, they’ll have to confront their fears and fight side-by-side in order to survive. |
The images Crouch draws to the minds of the readers are so vivid, so real and raw, and the horrors and terror Violet goes through at the beginning of the story, it left me gasping for air. Yes, this can be a trigger to some, so consider yourself to be warned. But the beautiful thing is, the author doesn't leave the heroine there to suffer and wither away when the readers get to witness this amazing, strong, beautiful soul emerge from the ashes, and grow to be a true heroine, a true champion, a person I admired with my whole heart and being. She struggles through the nightmares, through the attacks, through the memories, and through the bubble wrap, her brother wants to put her in, and the through the distance Aidan wants to give her after everything that she has experienced. Her perseverance, her strength, her endurance, it just multiplies as she develops into the strong, beautiful person she was meant to be. Yes, another fabulous strong female lead from Crouch, I swear, she does them better than the most.
Aiden - he is the perfect match to the warrior Violet is. Their minds, souls, and hearts are lined up on the same frequency, and it is a beautiful thing to witness. The age difference between them is brought up several times, but it was hard to see in practice, as they go on with their lives, and develop on the personal front, and grow together as soul mates, and built upon their relationship. And though they are sizzling hot together, burning up the pages, there is more to their relationship than just the hot, physical attraction, as the author proves to the readers.
The team is well presented in the story, as are the mates from Violet's brother's team. It is always a joy to see the characters from the previous books and visit with old friends.
Shamrock is an impressive, potent, and vigorous story filled with harsh, vehement suspense and action that is perfectly balanced and matched by the fervent and ardent love story that is developing between the protagonists. It will pull out all the feels, maybe even more than you were prepared to give, yet it does not leave you hanging as it delivers well in the smoothly flowing, well-written, heartwrenching story. What a ride!
~ Five Spoons
USA TODAY bestselling author Janie Crouch writes what she loves to read: passionate romantic suspense. She is a winner and/or finalist of multiple romance literary awards including the Golden Quill Award for Best Romantic Suspense, the National Reader’s Choice Award, and the coveted RITA© Award by the Romance Writers of America. Janie recently relocated with her husband and their four teenagers to Germany (due to her husband's job as support for the U.S. Military), after living in Virginia for nearly 20 years. When she's not listening to the voices in her head (and even when she is), she enjoys engaging in all sorts of crazy adventures (200-mile relay races; Ironman Triathlons, treks to Mt. Everest Base Camp) traveling, and movies of all kinds. |
He’s not a man to be played with.
Not without consequences. For five years, Levi Tucker had no control over his life, locked up for a crime he didn’t commit. Never again would any woman—any desire—overtake this cowboy’s common sense. Now Faith Grayson, the sexy, brilliant architect he’s hired to design his grand new house, is sorely testing his resolve. Faith is too young. Too innocent. Maybe just too tempting. |
I can only imagine the amount of anger, disappointment, hate, and need for revenge that is churning inside Levi. Yet all those negative thoughts are very focused on their target, and he does not take it out on just any passerby. With all the hate and anger, there was also kindness, sweetness, tenderness, and decency in Levi that made me fall for him completely. I loved how he was with Faith. How their attraction was stronger than his years built self-control, how the feelings he had for her were stronger than the build-up need for the vengeance.
Faith had lived a sheltered life, by the busy life brought on by her early success and super smarts, as well as the overly protective older brothers who stood like a wall surrounding her from the world and from all the possible disappointments and hurt.
Together, with the burning passion in between them, these two didn't only fly free, they soared through the atmosphere with the ardent adoration and deep understanding they had for each other.
The depth of their emotion - and the deep conversation on the topic - floored me with all the feels. I loved Levi and Faith together, and the connection they shared. I loved the world the author created around them, telling a story that was riddled with familiarity to readers following the series yet a tale that could be a great way to get to know the author's style if a new-to-her reader. The story is shorter in length, yet a great sample of the Copper Ridge series.
A tale of redemption, resurrection, and the power of love, where family, passion, and the yearning for more set the foundation but it is the love that sets them free of the chains of past.
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
Since then it’s been a whirlwind of sexy alpha males and happily ever afters, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Maisey divides her writing time between dark, passionate category romances set just about everywhere on earth and light sexy contemporary romances set practically in her back yard.
She believes that she clearly has the best job in the world
USA Today bestselling author Kimberly Kincaid,
is coming May 7th, and we have the stunning cover for you!
Familiarity breeds temptation for Jonah Sheridan and Natalie Kendrick in this steamy friends-to-lovers medical contemporary romance. While part of the Remington Medical world, this book is a complete standalone and can be read as your first Kimberly Kincaid novel, or your twentieth. No cliffhangers, no spoilers, all red-hot HEA!
Kimberly Kincaid writes contemporary romance that splits the difference between sexy and sweet and hot and edgy romantic suspense. When she’s not sitting cross-legged in an ancient desk chair known as “The Pleather Bomber”, she can be found practicing obscene amounts of yoga, whipping up anything from enchiladas to éclairs in her kitchen, or curled up with her nose in a book. Kimberly is a USA Today best-selling author and a 2016 and 2015 RWA RITA® finalist and 2014 Bookseller’s Best nominee who lives (and writes!) by the mantra that food is love. Kimberly resides in Virginia with her wildly patient husband and their three daughters.
Stay up to date with Kimberly by joining her mailing list: http://bit.ly/2WwXAKW |
Series Wiltshire Chronicles Book One
Genre Adult Historical Romance & Romantic Suspense
Publisher Independent
Publication Date April 2, 2019
When her brother's ship sinks off the coast of France, Miss Samantha Hastings surrenders her quiet, country life to manage his affairs. Suddenly thrust into society, Samantha faces an unfamiliar world and the unnerving green eyes of Lord Westwood-her brother's best friend and her new guardian.
Benjamin, Lord Westwood, never intended on following through with his rash promise to act as guardian to Edward's bratty little sister. Upon learning of his best friend's death, Benjamin's intention was to marry her off to the first acceptable suitor. When he finds himself falling for Samantha instead, Benjamin alights upon the perfect plan; a marriage of convenience.
The plan, however, quickly unravels when they discover Edward's disappearance was due to foul play. Now, Samantha is in more danger than either of them realized and Benjamin is running out of time. Can he save the woman he loves or will murder ruin his perfect plan?
If you enjoy the mystery and intrigue of Amanda Quick and Lisa Kleypas, dive into this spellbinding series filled with history, romance, and suspense.
June 19, 1842
He stared pitilessly, mouth twisted cruelly, as Mr. Matthew Hastings writhed uncontrollably on the mahogany desk. His arms flopped helplessly; a dull thud, thud, thud. Heavy green drapes, lining the picture window behind the desk, blocked any moonlight from streaming into the room. Only the dim light of fading embers bathed Mr. Hastings and his guest at this early hour. No sound echoed in the sleeping house. Anonymity cloaked the sole witness to Mr. Hastings’ excruciating demise.
“It is unfortunate I had to resort to this unpleasantness.” The man shook his head with feigned sadness, a sneer hovering just on the edge of his lips. He paused, deep in contemplation, and then spoke quietly, as if explaining an important lesson to a child. “I did caution you–several times–over the past few months. However, you refused to heed my warning.”
Leaning over, the man slid his fingers through Mr. Hasting’s hair, mostly black, but highlighted by the graying of age. His grip tightened, and he wrenched Mr. Hastings’ head sideways. Pressing his lips to Mr. Hastings’ ear, he hissed intimately. “You have something I want, something that was promised to me when I was much younger. Since you are unwilling to relinquish possession...”
He indicated a half empty glass of brandy resting precariously near the edge of the desk, just out of reach of Mr. Hastings’ twitching hand. The brandy taunted; its amber color glistened ominously. Mr. Hastings’ eyes rolled wildly as the toxin caused his body to spasm in a gruesome dance. His tongue remained paralyzed, locked, unable to form a simple word. Help.
The man released Mr. Hastings’ head, gently returning it to the desk, and then stroked his fingers down the side of Mr. Hastings’ contorted cheek. “This particular poison is quite painful. I must admit, I chose it because I knew it would cause you to suffer horribly.”
“Ugh,” replied Mr. Hastings. His flopping body beat its slow rhythm again; a fish gasping for its last breath of air. The raspy breathing echoed in the study. Although the sound was not loud enough to raise alarm in the house, the man’s eyes flew to the closed study door. Grabbing Mr. Hastings by his hair, the man yanked, crushing Mr. Hastings’ mouth with his hand.
“Stop this nonsense, this instance,” he hissed.
Jerking, Mr. Hastings threw his torso forward, ripping out of the man’s grasp, and stretching for the poisoned snifter. His fingers brushed against the glass, sliding down the side. The glass scooted further away, teetering on the edge of the desk. With a lunge, he wrapped his hand around the glass, locking tightly. Gasping twice, Mr. Hastings’ shuddered and then exhaled, his body slumping onto the desk.
Cautiously, the man relaxing his grip, straightening slowly. He studied Mr. Hastings’s with narrowed eyes, searching for any hint of movement. Nothing. He grinned and chuckled quietly as his gaze fell on the glass in Mr. Hastings’ grip.
“No clues.” He clucked his tongue. “A good attempt, however, kindly remember, I am much smarter than you.”
Prying the glass from Mr. Hastings’ stiff hand, the man dumped the remaining liquid into the fireplace. The fire hissed and burned red briefly before returning to its normal color. Wrapping the glass in a handkerchief, the man placed it carefully in his coat pocket. He patted the pocket twice before his eyes rose to meet Mr. Hastings’ empty gaze.
“I am sorry to steal you so young from your lovely wife. The loss will be devastating for her.” A horrid smile stretched across his lips. “Please do not concern yourself with the well-being of your dear wife or your children; I intend to take good care of your family.”
“Ugh, ugh.” Mr. Hastings choked. His hand slammed down on the desk. His head rolled to the side, lifting a centimeter from the desk. His blue eyes rolled madly, threatening to burst from their sockets. Agony racked his features; his entire face strained taut from the poison’s brutal assault.
The man laughed quietly and stepped toward the desk, his voice scornful. “You are a fighter. Perhaps I did not give you a large enough dose.”
His hand slid into his breast pocket, fingers closing around a tiny brown vial. A wheezing breath escaped from Mr. Hastings’ lungs. He deflated, his body twisted grotesquely over the desk; a lifeless marionette. Eerie silence filled the study. Mr. Hastings’ empty eyes, permanently frozen in a moment of anguish, glared accusingly at the man.
Placing his fingers to the side of Mr. Hastings’ neck, the man nodded with satisfaction. He leaned over the body and rifled through the desk drawers, his hands groping into the far recesses. Each empty disappointment brought a growl to his lips. Taking care not to disturb Mr. Hastings’ corpse, the man slid his fingers under the desk looking for a secret compartment or hidden drawer. He found nothing, not a key, not a clue, nothing, just an ordinary desk.
With a snarl, he stood, his eyes scanning the study, absorbing every detail, every nook and cranny. This was the only room left in the townhouse he had not yet had the opportunity to search. Yet they continued to elude him. He shook his head, chewing his tongue as he glanced over at Mr. Hastings. Such an inconvenience–this murder business–although this was by no means his first horrendous act.
His eyes swept the room again, taking inventory; various trinkets from Mr. Hastings’ travels decorated the bookshelves along the walls. Mrs. Hastings’s ornate writing desk, hidden in the far corner, was situated to face the beautiful garden hidden behind the green curtains, instead of the center of the room.
Mr. Hastings once teased his wife at a dinner party that her desk should be in his office, since she spent most of her time on the business of correspondence and all business should be performed in an office. In response to his remark, she requested the staff move her desk from the sitting room into the office the next morning, where she spent most of her time staring out the window at the foliage instead of writing letters.
“What wonderful a distraction!” She often exclaimed the sentiment, her musical voice bloomed with joy each time. “Surely if ever anyone has a reason not to respond to a letter, it is due to the beauty of nature.”
Gliding over, he ran his fingers lightly over the soft wood. Rebecca’s desk. He tried to open the desk top, but the rollup lid refused to budge. Snarling, he grasped a bronze letter opener from Mr. Hastings’ desk and shoved the edge roughly under the lid attempting pry it open. With a snap, the lock gave way and the letter opener sliced into the soft wood, gouging a deep scar across the delicate surface of the desk. The letter opener fell from his palm with a thunk, skittering across the floor and disappearing under Mr. Hastings’ desk.
The man searched all the crevices of the desk, pulling out every drawer and muttering with each empty outcome. His only discovery, an old pile of love letters tied with blue and white ribbons, was stashed in the rear of final drawer. He fanned through them quickly, annoyed to find Mr. Hastings’ tidy scrawl decorated the outside of every envelope. Sentimental value, apparently, why else would Mrs. Hastings store them in her desk? He shoved them roughly back into the drawer and slammed it with a snarl. Angered, he roared at the body sprawled across the desk.
“Where did you hide them?”
The corpse did not respond, but Mr. Hastings’ wide eyes appeared to be mocking his frustration. A last laugh in death, the man mused sourly.
“No answer. I am not surprise.” He cast a disdainful sneer at the body. “However, mark my words, I will find them, and no one will be able to tie me to your unfortunate demise.”
The man crossed the room once more. Wrenching open the study door, he leaned into the hallway and, with panic dripping from his voice, yelled. “Help, Mr. Hastings has taken ill. Oh please, help.”
The butler, awakened by the man’s cries, came running down the hallway through a door in the kitchen. He slid across the wooden floor in his stockings and rushed to Mr. Hastings’ side. Drinking in his master’s anguished eyes and immobile figure, the butler gasped. He examined the body but felt no pulse in Mr. Hastings’ wrist.
“What happened?” the butler asked, still bent over his employer.
“As we were talking, Mr. Hastings fell into some sort of fit, thrashing about, and then just slumped over.” The man forced a concerned tone into his explanation and leaned over the body as well. “I called for you as soon as the episode began.”
Twisting sideways, the butler studied the man. “We will need to fetch Dr. Barnes; however, I fear it is too late to save Mr. Hastings’s life.”
“Stay with him, do what you can; I will go for the doctor.” The man exited the study before the butler could reply.
Stepping out into the late evening fog, the man whistled a hollow tune, which echoed hauntingly in the mist. He called for his carriage with a quick snap of his fingers and climbed into the cab without a backward glance. As the carriage bounced along toward the doctor’s house, the man wondered if the butler noticed anything suspicious when he entered the room. His hand unconsciously curled around a glass hidden in his coat pocket; the final detail which needed to be resolved.
Perhaps it might be best to pay for the butler’s silence. However, if the butler was a loyal employee, a payoff would raise suspicions. An accident, on the other hand, would permanently guarantee the butler’s silence. How much tragedy could one family endure? He smirked in the darkness of the coach. Does a dead butler even count as a tragedy?
The carriage stopped suddenly, jarring him from his morbid thoughts.
“Help!” The man leapt from the carriage bellowing and banged loudly on Dr. Barnes’ front door. His voice strained with false concern. “Help, please, help, I need a doctor!”
“I will be right there.” The tired voice replied from deep within the recesses of the house. The elderly doctor blearily opened his front door, holding the nub of a candle. “I am Dr. Barnes, how can I help you, Mr...?”
“There is no time for introductions,” replied the man, his face partially concealed in shadow, as if the light recoiled from his visage. He shoved a parchment wrapped bundle into the doctor’s hand.
“What is this?” Dr. Barnes blinked, focusing his tired eyes on the solid mass in his hand.
“Mr. Hastings has died.” The man lowered his voice and leaned closer. “This is to ensure that he died of natural causes.”
Thumbing through the stack money, Dr. Barnes’ tongue caught between his teeth. He whistled under his breath, counting silently. He glanced up, realization glowing in his dim irises, and raised a suspicious eyebrow. “Did he?”
“Most definitely not. However, I am weary this evening and a bit reluctant to tolerate more than one death tonight. Although, if the need arises...” The man’s voice trailed off.
Dr. Barnes tightened his grip on the money and nodded once. “There will be no need, I understand your request.”
“I thought you might.” The man smiled. The sentiment did not reach his cold, dark eyes.
“I must leave at once,” replied Dr. Barnes. His tongue twisted around the words, garbling the sentence into mushy syllables of fear. Grabbing his medical bag from behind the door, Dr. Barnes threw a jacket over his arm and pulled the door closed behind him.
“Would you like to ride in my carriage?” The man bared his teeth, gesturing to his carriage; darkness seeped from the inside of the coach.
“No, thank you. I shall go on foot. Good night, sir.” Dr. Barnes shuddered once, and then nodded to the man, turning and walking in the opposite direction of the carriage.
“Doctor.” The man’s soft voice chased Dr. Barnes’ retreating back.
Dr. Barnes paused half-way down the street, his shoulders drooped. Reluctantly he turned. “Yes, sir?”
“It would do you well to remember I know where you live.” The man saluted him with a curt nod.
“Yes, sir,” answered Dr. Barnes. A tremor wracked his small frame. He pulled the jacket tightly around his shoulders, spun around again, and hastened down the street. He vanished around a corner without another word.
Casually walking over to a nearby bridge, the man dug into his pocket, and extracted the handkerchief containing the stolen glass. He leaned over the railing and dropped the contaminated snifter into the river below. Sucked into the swirling, black water, he watched the glass sink rapidly below the churning surface of the Thames–vanishing from sight. He folded the handkerchief, and replaced it in his pocket, patting it.
Humming the same haunting tune as before, he climbed back into his carriage and knocked on the window. The snap of a whip followed his cue, cracking twice over the backs of the horses. They pulled impatiently on the reins, jerking the carriage forward. The man leaned back into the darkness, pressing his fingers together in delight.
“I am not finished with your family yet, Mr. Hastings.”
|
Tour Wide Giveaway
To celebrate the release of A PERFECT PLAN by Alyssa Drake, we're giving away a $25 Amazon gift card to one lucky winner!
GIVEAWAY TERMS & CONDITIONS: Open to internationally. One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card. This giveaway is administered by Pure Textuality PR on behalf of Alyssa Drake. Giveaway ends 4/6/2019 @ 11:59pm EST. Limit one entry per reader. Duplicates will be deleted. CLICK HERE TO ENTER!
USA Today Bestselling Author ALYSSA DRAKE has been creating stories since she could hold a crayon, preferring to construct her own bedtime tales instead of reading the titles in her bookshelves. A multi-genre author, Alyssa currently writes Historical romance, Paranormal romance, Contemporary romance, and Cozy mystery. She thoroughly enjoys strong heroines and often laughs aloud when imagining conversations between her characters.
Alyssa graduated from the University of the Pacific, with a B.S. in business and a concentration in French literature. Currently she resides in Northern California with her blended family, where she works full-time at a chocolate factory.
She believes everyone is motivated by love of someone or something. One of her favorite diversions is fabricating stories about strangers surrounding her on public transportation. Alyssa can often be found madly scribbling notes on a train or daydreaming out the window as the scenery whips past.
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Series The Singh Family Trilogy Book One
Genre Adult Contemporary Romance
Publisher Avon Impulse
Publication Date April 2, 2019
Hemdeep Singh knows exactly what he wants. With his intelligence and determination, he has what it takes to build his own legacy away from Bharat, Inc. and the empire his father created. But when his brother calls him home, Hem puts his dreams on hold once again to help save the company he walked away from. That’s when he encounters the devastating Mina Kohli in the Bharat boardroom, and he realizes he’s in for more than he had bargained.
Mina will do whatever it takes to recover control of her mother’s law firm, even if it means agreeing to an arranged marriage. Her newest case assignment is to assist Bharat in the midst of a potential takeover. It could be the key to finally achieving her goal while preventing her marriage to a man she doesn’t love—as long as her explosive attraction to Hem doesn’t get in the way. As Mina and Hem work to save Bharat, they not only uncover secrets that could threaten the existence of the company, but they also learn that in a winner-takes-all game, love always comes out on top. |
Deepak Singh was the fifth son of a fifth son. He was born in a village on the outskirts of Chandigarh, Punjab, India, and was fortunate enough to receive a boarding school education. His father was a police officer, as were his brothers, but Deepak wanted something different. He wanted something more. In his heart of hearts, he wasn’t a warrior like his brothers or the ancestors that came before him. He was a poet, and his poetry was code.
Deepak knew his obsession with code was sometimes difficult to communicate, which was why he needed his morning walks to clear his head and work on his messaging. He approached the carved wooden bench that overlooked the front gardens on his estate and took a seat. The sky was a blend of orange and deep blue already, and he settled down to watch the remainder of the sunrise. A gentle spring breeze cooled his weathered skin, and he let out a sigh. He needed to ask his wife to join him on his walks again so she could enjoy the scenery with him.
He took out the faded sepia picture of his family that he carried in his billfold and looked at the unmarred face of his youth. He remembered the two heavy red leather suitcases he carried, and the determined look on his wife’s face as they exited customs at John F. Kennedy International Airport for the first time all those years ago. He’d come to America to pursue his dreams, and in thirty years, Deepak had started the company Bharat, Inc., become a leading subject matter expert in image processing using deep learning, registered fifteen patents related to image recognition, and amassed a small fortune. He continued to live his life with Guru Nanak’s teachings in mind and raised his three strong sons the same way.
His sons. His joy. They also lived life with Guru Nanak’s teachings and wore their commitment to god in the form of a silver kara he’d given each of them as they entered manhood.
His youngest, Zail, was the most like him, and therefore the easiest for him to understand. They spent hours together in their tech lab situated in Silicon Valley. Zail wore his bracelet in silence and devotion.
His middle son wore his kara and his commitment to family like a badge of honor. Ajay was in line for CEO and he was a powerful leader. Deepak just wished he lived for more than just the business. Like Hem used to.
Hem. Hemdeep. His firstborn and the most complicated of all of his boys. Deepak rubbed the heel of his hand against his chest as a spike of pain shot through his heart. He’d always thought Hem would lead his empire when he was gone, but after their . . . disagreement, Hem refused to participate in the family business anymore. Deepak knew he was a part of the reason why Hem left, and even though he’d seen Hem over the last year and a half, their relationship was strained. All he wanted was his son’s happiness. If he couldn’t ensure that, then all of his money was worthless.
The pain returned in his chest, following a slight tingle. Carefully putting his picture away, he stood on shaking legs and began the slow trek back to the house. Hem would have to find his own away in business and in love. Deepak just hoped that his son wouldn’t lose sight of family in the process.
From THE TAKEOVER EFFECT. Used with permission of Avon Impulse. Copyright © 2019 by Nisha Sharma.
NISHA SHARMA grew up immersed in Bollywood movies, eighties pop culture, and romance novels. She credits her father for her multiple graduate degrees, and her mother for her love of Shah Rukh Khan and Jane Austen. She lives in New Jersey with her cat Lizzie Bennett and her dog Nancey Drew. You can find her online at nisha-sharma.com or on Twitter and Instagram at @nishawrites.
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